Written Answers of 3 November 1998

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Stolen Property
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what estimates he has made of the total value of church furniture, ornaments and other items that have been stolen from churches open to the public in the past 12 months. [57069]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  This is not a matter for the Church Commissioners. I understand that there is no central register kept of thefts from Church buildings in England. However, figures from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, which insures most Anglican Churches in England, show that, in 1997, 1,974 cases of theft were reported from Anglican Churches insured by the EIG in England and Scotland. The items stolen were insured for some £1.5m. These records do not show whether the church was open to the public at the time of the theft.

  Millennium Arts Festival
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Commissioners are taking to encourage the Church of England to support local schools participating in the JC2000 Millennium Arts Festival for Schools. [57476]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Although not a matter for the Commissioners, I understand from the Church of England Board of Education that a quarter of the Schools in England, many of them Church schools, have already indicated an interest in the JC2000 Millennium Arts Festival for Schools. The Church of England is actively involved, through its network of Diocesan Directors of Education, in the support of 5,000 Church of England schools in England, and many other schools have connections with their parish Church. The Board of Education expresses its support for this exciting and imaginative millennium project.

DEFENCE

  Defence Estates Organisation
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Estates Organisation for 1998–99. [58406]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following key performance targets have been set for the Defence Estates Organisation for 1998–99:

  Key Target 1:
  Establish cost of disposals (including internal costs and consultancy fees, but not works in aid) as a percentage of disposal receipts and set targets for improvement.
  440
  Key Target 2:
  Achieve gross disposal receipts of £150 million.

  Key Target 3:
  Complete transfer of title to new owner of 90 per cent. of disposals within three years of property being passed to DEO for disposal.

  Key Target 4:
  Complete initial assessment against Business Excellence Model.

  Key Target 5:
  Complete internal IIP and external customer survey and submit reports to the Owners Advisory Board, together with proposed targets for improvement.

  Key Target 6:
  Appointment of external project managers for capital works projects:

  a: 99 per cent. achievement within one month for appointments made through Term Commissions or Partnering arrangements.

  b: 90 per cent. achievement within 5 months for all appointments.

  Mr. Raymond Bristow
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the medical tests conducted on Gulf War Veteran Warrant Officer Ray Bristow of the 32 field hospital in the Royal Army Medical Corps in respect of suspected health damage arising from exposure to depleted uranium dust during the Gulf War. [57090]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence is aware that Dr. Asaf Durakovic, a US physician, is reported as having carried out tests for the presence of depleted uranium (DU) on some UK Gulf veterans, including Mr. Raymond Bristow. However, we have not yet seen details of either the tests which have been performed or the results obtained. Accordingly, the MOD cannot comment on Dr. Durakovic's reported findings.

  The MOD is well aware that a link has been suggested between possible exposure to DU and the illnesses being experienced by some Gulf veterans. However, this is only one of a number of factors which have been suggested as causes of Gulf veterans' illnesses and, pending further medical and scientific evidence, my Department is keeping an open mind on this issue.

  Any Gulf veteran who is concerned that his or her health has been adversely affected by Service during the Gulf conflict, including possible exposure to DU, is urged to seek a referral to the MOD's Medical Assessment Programme.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons in the regular battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment were born in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) the remainder of the United Kingdom, (c) the Republic of Ireland and (d) elsewhere. [57581]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Members of the Royal Irish Regiment (General Service), whose place of birth is recorded as being in the four areas specified, are detailed in the table.
  441

  Place of birth

  Number

  Northern Ireland

  348

  Remainder of the United Kingdom

  249

  Republic of Ireland

  33

  Elsewhere

  5

  Total

  635

  West Indies Guard Ship
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to alter the rules for engagement for the West Indies Guard Ship; and if he will make a statement. [57748]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are no plans to do so at present. Nonetheless, Rules of Engagement, including those for the West Indies Guard Ship, are reviewed on a regular basis in the light of changing operational circumstances.

  Chile
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he or his ministers or officials had arranged, prior to 17 October, with representatives of the Chilean Navy; when such meetings were due to have taken place and where; and if the possible purchase by the Chilean Navy of British destroyers or frigates was to be discussed. [57523]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Before 17 October, many regular and routine meetings took place between UK and Chilean officials on a range of defence matters both in the UK and Chile.

  Representatives of the Chilean Navy were scheduled to meet my officials for exploratory discussions relating to their frigate replacement programme during a planned visit to the UK at the beginning of November. This will now not take place as originally planned.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he or his ministers or officials have had with representatives of the Government of Chile since 1 May 1997; what was discussed at each such meeting; who was present; and what agreements were reached. [57524]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: I, my Ministerial colleagues, the Chiefs of Staff and my senior officials have met Chilean Defence Ministers and Commanders in Chief on 21 occasions in the UK, Chile and elsewhere since 1 May 1997.

  Discussions covered a wide range of matters of mutual defence interest, including defence exports. No formal agreements were concluded, although the two sets of annual defence cooperation talks established proposals for military assistance and defence cooperation over the forthcoming year. In addition, regular routine meetings have taken place between UK and Chilean officials on a range of defence matters.

  Helicopters (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums have been paid to farmers in Northern Ireland as compensation for livestock damaged by 442
  low-flying helicopters in each of the last 10 years; and what guidance is issued to helicopter pilots to minimise such damage. [56294]

  Mr. Spellar
  Prior to March 1994 the records relating to compensation paid out for damage to livestock by low-flying helicopters were maintained manually and to retrieve the information requested would, even if possible, involve disproportionate cost. However, figures for the total amount of compensation paid to claimants in Northern Ireland due to helicopter activity from April 1989 to March 1994 are set out.

  £

  1 April 1989–31 March 1990

  594,899

  1 April 1990–31 March 1991

  1,240,680

  1 April 1991–31 March 1992

  2,796,735

  1 April 1992–31 March 1993

  4,170,361

  1 April 1993–31 March 1994

  6,456,702

  For the remainder of the 10-year period computer records show compensation paid out to claimants for damage to livestock as follows:

  £

  1 April 1994–31 March 1995

  5,743,922

  1 April 1995–31 March 1996

  1,426,424

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  442,040

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  460,021

  1 April 1998–30 September 1999

  184,953

  The form in which the information is compiled does not indicate whether the claimants who received compensation payments were farmers. The figures also include elements of loss/damage to fencing, silage, land etc. To produce a breakdown of the individual amounts paid in each case to reflect the amount of compensation paid for animals only would again involve disproportionate cost.

  The guidance issued to helicopter pilots with regard to minimising damage applies to all pilots, regardless of where they are serving, and is highlighted at an early stage of their training. Damage to crops and livestock can be caused only by low-flying. Pilots are reminded that, when such activity is necessary, whether due to prevailing operational commitment or weather constraints, appropriate action should be taken, in particular where there is a known or perceived sensitive area—for example, hospitals, stables etc.—to minimise the impact of their actions on the local community.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters are presently in use in Northern Ireland; and how many(a) flights took place, (b) flying hours were recorded and (c) complaints were received in each of the last three years. [56379]
  443
  Mr. George Robertson
  There are currently 40 helicopters operated by the Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps and Royal Navy which have an operational tasking in Northern Ireland. Records of individual flights in the Province over the last three years are not maintained; however, 81,174 flying hours were recorded in the period concerned. These are as follows:

  Dates

  Flying hours

  1 January 1996–31 December 1996

  28,911

  1 January 1997–31 December 1997

  30,083

  1 January 1998–30 September 1998

  22,180

  Formal records on complaints about military helicopters were not kept until the beginning of 1997. In that year 749 complaints were recorded, and at the end of August in the current year, 475 complaints had been recorded.

  Surveillance Towers (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of British Army surveillance towers in Northern Ireland in (i) September 1994 and (ii) October 1998; and what plans he has to remove further towers from use in the next six months. [56394]

  Unit

  Strength

  Length of tour

  The 1st Battalion The Scots Guards

  569

  2 years—until March 2000

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  566

  2 years—until August 2000

  The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry

  623

  2 years—until March 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  605

  2 years—until May 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  606

  2 years—until December 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)1

  609

  2 years—until March 1999

  42 Commando Royal Marines

  577

  6 months—until March 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales)

  552

  6 months—until November 1998

  The 12th Regiment Royal Artillery

  403

  6 months—until October 1998

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales—Prince of Wales Division

  545

  6 months—until December 1998

  The 39th Regiment Royal Artillery2

  277

  6 months—until January 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (Scottish Division)

  510

  6 months—until December 1998

  1The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, respectively the Province Reserve Battalion and me Urban Reinforcement Battalion, are fully committed to Northern Ireland, although only one company of each was deployed in the Province at 30 September 1998. The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales, the Rural Reinforcement Battalion, is also fully committed to Northern Ireland but was not deployed in the Province at that time.

  Note:

  Figures as at 30 september 1998

  In addition, there are 6 Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, totalling 4,431 soldiers, comprising both full-time and part-time members, which are wholly committed to service in Northern Ireland. The security situation is kept under constant review and the level of Army support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary adjusted accordingly in line with their requirements. However, it is the Department's policy not to disclose details of future deployments to the Province.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the overall strength in September 1998 of British military forces in Northern Ireland broken down into numbers attached to the (i) Army, (ii) RAF, (iii) Royal Navy, (iv) RIR Home Service full-time and (v) RIR Home Service part-time. [56396]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The information requested is set out in the table:
  444
  Mr. George Robertson
  In September 1994 there were surveillance towers at 10 hilltop sites in the South Armagh area, 2 towers in Londonderry and 3 surveillance posts mounted on blocks of flats within Belfast, in October 1998 there were the same number of sites in South Armagh and Belfast, but only one in Londonderry, the other having been closed in 1995. In addition to surveillance towers, the security forces maintain a number of other structures which are used for a variety of observation purposes.

  The security situation is kept under constant review and the configuration of the military infrastructure adjusted accordingly. However, there are no plans to withdraw any of the towers from use over the next 6 months.

  British Forces (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British Army regiments currently deployed in Northern Ireland, indicating the number attached to each and the estimated duration of their tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on planned deployment during the next 12 months providing there is no unforeseen change in the security context. [56397]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The British Army Infantry Battalions—and one Royal Marine Commando— currently committed to Northern Ireland are listed in the table, along with their strength and planned tour length:

  Strength

  Army (General Service)

  110,873

  Royal Air Force

  1,152

  Royal Navy

  321

  The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Full Time)

  2,627

  The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Part Time)

  1,961

  Total

  16,934

  1Includes the Province Reserve Battalion and the Urban Reinforcement Battalion which are fully committed to Northern Ireland although only one company of each was deployed to the Province as at30September 1998. Also includes the Rural Reinforcement Battalion which was committed but not deployed at that time

  Note:

  Figures as at 30 September 1998
  445
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army and RIR barracks are maintained in Northern Ireland; if he will cost and itemise major works projects(a) completed over the last 12 months and (b) already under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. [56398]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There are currently 44 bases used by the British Army including the Royal Irish Regiment, in Northern Ireland which are occupied by a platoon or more of troops. These include bases which are exclusively military or which are shared with the RUC. It does not include RUC stations which have a token military presence, surveillance towers, observation posts, Permanent Vehicle Check Points (PVCPs), or patrol bases which were previously PVCPs.

  A continual programme of maintenance and development exists to keep the Army estate in good operational order. Within the last 12 months 7 major works projects costing £300,000 or more have been completed at a total value of £21.415m. These projects were at the following locations:

  £ million

  Location

  Cost

  Thiepval Barracks

  2.612

  Massereene Barracks (3 projects)

  13.821

  Hollywood

  2.253

  Ballykinler

  1.184

  New Barnsley

  2.545

  There are currently 29 major works projects costing £300,000 or more, with a total value of £54.696m, under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. These projects are at the following locations:

  £ million

  Location

  Cost

  Ballykinler (4 projects)

  4.067

  Drumadd

  0.960

  Omagh (3 projects)

  8.500

  Ballykelly (3 projects)

  3.570

  Aldergrove (4 projects)

  13.000

  Hollywood (3 projects)

  3.595

  Kinnegar

  2.500

  Thiepval Barracks (7 projects)

  14.080

  Magilligan

  3.174

  Mahon Barracks (2 projects)

  1.250

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date, and at what level, the decision was taken to permit administrative facilities at(a) Wellington Barracks, (b) Catterick Barracks and (c) other premises within his responsibility to be used for (i) answering phone calls, (ii) replying to mail and (iii) other activities associated with the campaign for the release of guardsmen Fisher and Wright; and what was the cost to public funds. [56297]
  446
  Mr. George Robertson
  The Fisher and Wright Release Group is an independent organisation which is run by former members of the Scots Guards and is not supported from public funds. The Group was not permitted the use of Army administration facilities in connection with its campaign, nor was assistance provided from any Army establishment.

  The Group consists of former members of the Regiment who are entitled to enter the Scots Guards Regimental Headquarters. They thus held their initial meetings at Wellington Barracks in 1997. The Regimental Colonel subsequently directed that these meetings should cease to take place within the Headquarters. The Group has used a P.O. Box number as a point of contact since 10 July 1997 and has not held any further meetings at the Regimental Headquarters.

  As the two Guardsmen are still members of the Scots Guards, its Regimental Headquarters has inevitably been a natural focal point for ex-Servicemen who wish to express their support for the Release Group's activities. Any telephone calls or letters that have been received for this purpose have, however, been immediately redirected to the Release Group.

  My Department has also received a number of representations both in support of and against the Guardsmen.

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, Chicksands
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the refurbishment of the Priory at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands; and if his Department has borne this cost. [57314]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) is based at Chicksands. The cost of refurbishing the Priory Officers' Mess at DISC is currently forecast at £4.731 million, and is being met by my Department.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many American visiting forces are based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands; and for what purpose. [57315]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are 10 US personnel attached to the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands to support training and exercises, particularly where there is a mutual US/UK interest. Some may deploy on operations where there is a combined national interest, subject to approval from the respective governments.

  Force Research Unit (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the application of exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in respect of Questions concerning expenditure and staffing levels of the Force Research Unit in Northern Ireland. [56400]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have reviewed the application of the exemption in this case and I am satisfied that this information should continue to be withheld under the terms of the Code of Practice.

TREASURY

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy retrospectively to increase the rate of capital gains tax for funded unapproved retirement schemes from 23 per cent. to 34 per cent. [58255]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This capital gains tax change is not retrospective. It is normal practice for capital gains tax reforms to apply to gains realised after the date of announcement of the changes.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue receipts by month so far this year from excise duties on tobacco; and what is his forecast for total receipts for 1988–99. [58208]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The amounts of revenue receipts by month this year are as follows:

  Excise duty

  £ million

  January

  33

  February

  42

  March

  105

  April

  1,635

  May

  18

  June

  49

  July

  101

  August

  269

  September

  469

  Total

  2,721

  The total tobacco revenue forecast for 1998–99, published in the March 1998 Financial Statement and Budget Report, is £8.9 billion.

  Duty-Free Sales
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules will apply for sales on ferries of goods bought at port of loading following the abolition of duty free sales inside the European Union. [58209]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The arrangements which will apply for sales of goods on board ferries, for passengers to take away, following the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales are still being considered. The Commission recently set out, in a press release, their thinking on how the successor regime will work and the Government are giving very careful consideration to this. It is based on the existing provisions of Council Directive 92/12/EEC At the EU Excise Committee meeting on 1 October the UK reserved its position to allow time for a full appraisal of the Commission's position.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with European partners about the tax regime which will apply after the abolition of duty free sales inside the European Union. [58210]
  448
  Dawn Primarolo
  The last time that the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales was discussed at a political level with EU partners was at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 19 May 1998 where a number of Finance Ministers made it clear that they opposed any re-opening of the decision to abolish. Subsequent discussions, on the operation of the successor regime, have been at official level in the Commission chaired EU Excise Committee. Customs and Excise are also entering into a bi-lateral and multi-lateral discussions with a number of other member states to work through the detail of how a successor regime might work in practice.

  Working Groups
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the reports of the Treasury-sponsored working groups on(a) the financing of high technology companies and (b) smaller quoted companies. [58338]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  These two working groups have now reported to me and I have today placed copies of their reports in the Libraries of both Houses, and they are available on request from the Treasury's Inquiry Unit.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to veto all EU proposals regarding the harmonisation of corporation tax rates. [58204]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Direct tax is primarily a matter for Member States at national level. Decisions on European tax issues are subject to unanimity. The Government will have no hesitation in using the veto when it is in the UK interests to do so.

  Age Concern (VAT)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 43, if he will permit Age Concern, Essex to defer implementing value added tax on its home support service pending the review by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of such levies. [58089]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs are now consulting interested parties to agree the circumstances in which home support services will be exempt from VAT as charity welfare services. Charities including Age Concern, Essex should not anticipate the outcome of the consultation, but where they have paid VAT on services which are subsequently determined to be exempt, they may reclaim the overpaid tax from Customs subject to the normal rules.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Albania
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance has been provided to Albania in the past five years; and what assessment she has made of its impact. [56918]
  449
  Clare Short
  UK Government assistance to Albania began in 1993 and has focused on the regulation of capital markets, rural development, health reform, good government and the development of civil society. We have also provided assistance to Albania through contributions to multilateral organisations such as the EU, and during last year's disturbances we provided significant emergency assistance.

  Early in 1997 there was a hiatus in bilateral assistance to Albania due to civil disturbances. Since then the programme has been restarted and it is focusing on strengthening governance and civil society, rural development and health reform.

  Figures for UK bilateral and multilateral assistance are as follows:

  Bilateral:

  Year

  (£)

  1998–99

  1800,000

  1997–98

  749,104

  1996–97

  1,038,000

  1995–96

  1,093,000

  1994–95

  1,153,447

  1993–94

  861,113

  1forecast

  Multilateral: (UK share)

  Year

  Total (£)

  Of which EC

  1997

  1—

  1—

  1996

  7,800,000

  5,900,000

  1995

  6,100,000

  3,900,000

  1994

  5,400,000

  3,100,000

  1993

  14,560,000

  13,100,000

  1not yet available

  We shall be assessing the overall impact of past assistance as we develop future programmes of assistance in the region.

  Cash Limits
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes will be made to the cash and running costs limits for her Department in 1998–99. [58027]

  Clare Short
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class III, Vote 1 will be increased by £12,607,000 from £1,620,700,000 to £1,633,307,000 and the running cost limit will be increased by £3,893,000 from £62,135,000 to £66,028,000.

  ODA/DFID funding allocated to renewable energy projects

  £

  1998/99

  1997/98

  1996/97

  1995/96

  1994/95

  Total

  Bangladesh

  —

  21,979

  82,972

  17,405

  —

  122,356

  China

  86,344

  49,380

  44,900

  41,275

  37,526

  259,425

  Ethiopia

  79,250

  14,518

  159,331

  65,050

  —

  318,149

  Ghana

  40,000

  36,678

  —

  —

  —

  76,678

  Honduras

  —

  —

  —

  20,230

  12,720

  32,950

  India

  42,680

  103,595

  158,810

  79,905

  25,795

  410,785

  Indonesia

  42,118

  1,387,524

  2,078,631

  979,867

  201,072

  4,689,212

  Kenya

  46,930

  46,875

  10,600

  11,300

  107,674

  223,379

  Nepal

  71,145

  46,915

  61,649

  49,188

  44,000

  272,897

  Peru

  204,830

  291,250

  90,227

  45,142

  68,726

  700,175

  450

  £

  Rollover of underspend on 1997–98 cash limit

  11,221,000

  Partial take up of running costs end of year flexibility carryforward

  1,893,000

  Outward PES transfer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Class II, Vote 2)

  507,000

  Increase in Vote Cash limit

  12,607,000

  The increase on the running cost limit is in respect of the take up of end of year flexibility carryforward as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36, and a transfer of resources of £2,000,000 from the Unallocated subhead.

  The increases will be offset by transfers and a claim on the Reserve and therefore will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to change the 1998–99 External Finance Limit for the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [58407]

  Clare Short
  The External Finance Limit for CDC for 1998/99 will be increased by £15,000,000 from minus £15,000,000 to zero. Advances to CDC in the current financial year will total £35,919,000 equal to loan repayments by CDC, achieving net zero financing in 1998/99. The increase will be offset within DFID's existing provision and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Renewable Energy Projects
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the funding allocated for renewable energy projects for each of the last five years by country. [56928]

  Clare Short
  Developing renewable energy was part of the former ODA's energy strategy. Renewable energy then featured in the Development White Paper, as it has a clear contribution to make to our sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection objectives.

  A table listing the funding allocation for renewable energy projects over the last five years follows. This includes projects funded by Aid and Trade Provision and Joint Funding Scheme. Large scale hydro power (above 1MW) projects are not included in the table, however, as they are not covered by the accepted definition of renewable energy.
  451

  ODA/DFID funding allocated to renewable energy projects

  £

  1998/99

  1997/98

  1996/97

  1995/96

  1994/95

  Total

  Philippines

  —

  —

  23,100

  17,875

  —

  40,975

  South Africa

  46,980

  50,300

  29,156

  9,000

  —

  135,436

  Sri Lanka

  75,143

  83,333

  61,636

  117,360

  137,504

  474,976

  Tanzania

  59,765

  274,649

  153,713

  11,300

  —

  499,427

  Thailand

  241,530

  1,098,866

  957,391

  218,837

  518,774

  3,035,398

  Uganda

  79,300

  18,625

  10,600

  11,300

  —

  119,825

  Vietnam

  —

  —

  23,100

  17,875

  —

  40,975

  Zimbabwe

  99,242

  100,817

  73,141

  73,949

  32,277

  379,426

  UK

  —

  —

  64,765

  —

  110,476

  175,241

  International

  31,504

  14,363

  241,996

  373,008

  26,940

  687,811

  Total

  £1,215,257

  3,625,304

  4,083,722

  1,786,858

  1,296,544

  12,007,685

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what methods the Environment Agency record facilities which use genetically modified organisms in industrial processes and which may release these organisms in waste streams; what is the location of the facilities; and what genetically modified substances are produced. [56332]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: The Environment Agency is required by section 64 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to maintain a register of waste management licences which it has issued for the recovery or disposal of waste. The register is open for inspection by members of the public free of charge. The information which must be included on the register is set out in regulation 10 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. It is not possible separately to identify from the register those facilities which dispose of waste derived from GMOs as opposed to other types of waste.

  Under separate legislation, the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (as amended in 1996 and 1998), all premises which undertake activities with GMOs in containment are notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Contained Use Regulations also require that all GMOs which have a potential to cause harm to humans or the environment are inactivated before they are disposed of. There is no explicit requirement to inactivate those GMOs which would not cause harm and which would have limited survival in the environment. However, there is a requirement that physical barriers are in place. It is HSE's experience that users of large scale facilities routinely inactivate all GMOs prior to disposal.

  There are 34 large scale facilities notified to HSE, although not all of these are necessarily undertaking large scale work at this time. A list of these will be placed in the Library of the House. Not all of these large scale facilities are for industrial production. Some undertake only research. HSE does not hold the data requested on all large scale activities undertaken. The data that are held are not in an easily retrievable form and where the substance produced is not a live GMO this falls outside of the scope of the Contained Use Regulations. Therefore, I regret that I cannot give a list of the genetically modified substances produced.
  452
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what acreage of land used as trial sites for GM crops is currently under cultivation. [57225]

  Mr. Meale
  There are approximately 717 acres of land currently under cultivation with trials of GM crops in the UK.

  Bypasses
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement in his policy regarding the need for bypasses of villages and small market towns. [56727]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our policies for management and investment in the trunk road network are set out in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. Traffic calming schemes can bring environmental benefits to local communities by reducing speeds and improving safety. But in some cases the volume of traffic passing through a town or village may be such that the only way of improving the environment significantly is to remove traffic by building a bypass.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to ensure a more efficient processing of PFI projects. [56931]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department is working with the Treasury Taskforce in implementing the recommendations of the Bates Review for streamlining the Private Finance Initiative.

  Regulations have been amended to help facilitate local government PFI schemes and an explanatory note on PFI and Public/Private Partnerships in local government was issued in September. The Department has strengthened its private finance unit, which plays a central co-ordinating and advisory role. We shall continue to liaise with local government representatives and the Public Private Partnerships Programme about procedures for handling applications for revenue support.

  Sprinklers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the building regulations to require the installation
  453
  of sprinklers as a fire precaution in (a) residential accommodation, (b) schools and other education buildings, (c) offices and (d) hospitals. [57184]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The guidance given in the Approved Document to Part B on how to comply with the Requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations, which deals with fire safety, is currently under review. However, there are no plans to amend the fire safety requirements in Part B of the Building Regulations for the installation of sprinklers on buildings of this type.

  Designated Beaches
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria that have to be met before a local authority can apply for a beach to be designated under the European Bathing Directive. [57072]

  Mr. Meale
  The Bathing Water Directive defines 'bathing water' as running or still fresh water and sea water in which bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers. The Government also takes into consideration, as evidence that the waters are well used by bathers, the existence of facilities associated with popular bathing areas.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the privatised water companies currently providing water meters free of charge to customers who wish to transfer to a metered tariff. [57071]

  Mr. Meale
  According to the Director General of Water Services' "1998–99 report on tariff structure and charges" (a copy of which is in the Library) the following water undertakers in England and Wales provide meters free of charge to their domestic customers where they are installed in the company's preferred location: Anglian Water, Bournemouth and West Hants Water, Bristol Water, Dee Valley Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Folkestone and Dover Water, Hartlepool Water, Mid-Southern Water, Severn Trent Water, South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water and Wessex Water.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he, other Ministers or officials of his Department have had with his Italian counterparts concerning the availability of storage capacity in Italy for reprocessing radioactive wastes to be returned from the United Kingdom. [57093]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department has no record of any such discussions. I refer my hon. Friend to the Parliamentary Answers given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry on 10 June 1997,Official Report, column 415, and 5 February 1998, Official Report, column 787.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has with the relevant authorities in the countries from which the United Kingdom has imported spent fuel for reprocessing at(a) Sellafield
  454
  and (b) Dounreay, in respect of (i) the provisions to return reprocessing wastes and (ii) the capacity in each country to store returned radioactive waste. [57092]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department has no specific communications on these issues, with the relevant authorities in the countries concerned.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to respond to the advice on the scope and contents of the core scientific research programme on intermediate level radioactive waste published by the Government's Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in October. [57100]

  Mr. Meale
  Government policy on intermediate level radioactive waste, including the nature of the associated scientific research programme, will be considered when informed by the conclusions of the House of Lord's Select Committee on Science and Technology's inquiry into nuclear waste management. The advice of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee will be taken into account at that time.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his Department's planned timetable for the assessment of the Environment Agency decisions on the proposed variations to BNFL's authorisations to discharge liquid and gaseous radioactive waste from Sellafield; [57103]

  (2) if he will publish the unredacted version of the PA Consulting report on the business case for the Sellafield mox nuclear fuels plant submitted to the Government by the Environment Agency. [57104]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Agency's draft determination was received today on 2 November. Requests have been received for the Secretary of State to call in the application for his own determination. These requests are under careful consideration and the Secretary of State will reach a decision as soon as he is able to do so. One of the issues raised in the call in requests, which the Secretary of State will consider, is whether sufficient information has been released into the public domain to allow consultees to comment on the application.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what consideration he will give to the health, environmental and proliferation implications of further moves towards the full operation of the British Nuclear Fuels Mixed Oxide Fuel Plant at Sellafield in his assessment of the Environment Agency' s proposed decision on the plant; [57221]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the proposed decision by the Environment Agency to allow the British Nuclear Fuels Mixed Oxide Fuel Plant at Sellafield to proceed to the next stage of commissioning. [57222]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The Agency's draft determination was received on Monday 2 November. Requests have been received for the Secretary of State to call in the application for his own determination. These requests are under careful consideration. In deciding whether to exercise the

  455
  statutory powers of call in all relevant factors will be taken into account. The Secretary of State will reach a decision as soon as he is able to do so.

  Teesside Development Corporation
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how(a) computers and (b) CD-Roms were disposed of after the demise of Teesside Development Corporation in April. [57613]

  Mr. Meale
  Although the Teesside Development Corporation ceased its operational activities at the end of March, it continued in existence until the end of June in order to produce its final report and accounts and wind up its affairs. I understand that the Corporation disposed of its computer equipment during that final three-month period, after inviting competitive bids and having wiped clean the disks, as part of a packaged disposal of its office furniture and equipment.

  Land Use Database
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Government have to provide resources to councils to enable the setting up of the National Land Use Database proposed in the White Paper, Planning for the Communities of the Future; and if he will make a statement. [57416]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are committed to raising the proportion of new homes expected to be built on previously developed land to 60 per cent. over the next ten years. The National Land Use Database (NLUD) is important to the achievement of that objective.

  Comprehensive information about the amount of land devoted to different uses is not currently collected in any nationally consistent way. This new database, which my Department is developing in partnership with the Local Government Management Board, Ordnance Survey, English Partnerships and local authorities, will eventually comprise a definitive database of land use in England, in a form that can readily be kept up to date.

  For the first phase, results for which will be available in April, local authorities have been asked to provide information on previously developed sites in their area that may be available for redevelopment for new housing or other uses. This information will assist in the setting of regional targets for the re-use of previously developed land for housing, as announced in the policy document "Planning for the Communities of the Future".

  With our partners in NLUD, we have taken a number of steps to assist local authorities in providing the information. These include:
  workshops—6 workshops have been arranged across the country to discuss with local authorities practical issues about the compilation of the database;
  database—each local authority will be given a copy of a customised database, to help them in capturing the information;
  surveyors—English Partnerships will be contracting surveyors to visit each local authority to assist them in drawing up their list of sites;
  456
  Geographic Information System (GIS) tools—suppliers of GAS software to local authorities are being encouraged to develop tools to assist local authority staff to capture site boundaries in computer form;
  helpline—there is a dedicated helpline for local authorities to call if they have queries.

  In addition, we recognise the tight timetable for supply of the data and have extended the deadline to early February 1999.

  This initiative has the full support of the Local Government Association and will be an invaluable resource to local authorities in the future.

  Packaging (Recovery)
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many prosecutions of eligible companies failing to register under the terms of the packaging recovery note provisions have taken place since the scheme was introduced; [57602]

  (2) how many companies have registered under the terms of the packaging recovery note provisions in each of the years of its operation. [57601]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the provisions of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 eligible businesses have obligations to: to register with the relevant Environment Agency (Environment Agency or Scottish Environment Protection Agency) or join a registered compliance scheme, provide packaging data, and pay a fee by a specified date (1 April);
  to recover and recycle specified tonnages of packaging waste and to certify to the relevant Agency that the recovery and recycling obligations have been complied with. The obligation to recover and recycle packaging waste took effect from 1 January 1998 and evidence of compliance with the 1998 targets must be submitted by 31 January 1999.

  Obligated businesses are able to demonstrate compliance with the Regulations by obtaining a Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) from an accredited reprocessor or by following the alternative approach to compliance set out in the Agencies' guidance. So far the Environment Agency has approved 191 companies as accredited reprocessors.

  The Environment Agencies have a duty to monitor compliance with the Regulations. Businesses that fail to comply with the Regulations may be subject to prosecution by the Agencies. The Environment Agency views particularly seriously the non-registration of obligated businesses. The Environment Agency is carrying out a programme of visits and follow-up inquiries to companies which it believes may need to be registered. Where this has been established, the business has registered.

  However, the Agency's announcement of 23 October, copies of which are being placed in the Library, clearly warns businesses that prosecutions will now follow after a 7 November deadline for 1998 registrations.

  In 1997 there were 3,839 businesses registered under the terms of the Regulations. In 1998 there are 3,813 registrations to date. When account is taken of the subsidiary businesses covered by the registration of a group of companies, the number of businesses covered by registration is 8,832 businesses.

  Local Government White Paper
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow local democratically elected authorities to agree alternative structures for political leadership other than those proposed in the Government's local government White Paper. [57683]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Within the 3 models proposed in the White Paper—directly elected mayor with cabinet, cabinet with a leader, and directly elected mayor and council manager—the scope for local diversity is great. If practice subsequently points up the possibility of other further valuable models for separating out the executive from the scrutiny role, the Government intend to provide for them to be available to local authorities.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the additional powers and freedoms proposed for the beacon councils to all democratically elected councils in England and Wales. [57676]

  Ms Armstrong
  Beacon councils will be a key driver in modernising local government, setting the pace of change, and acting as a test bed for new freedoms and flexibilities. The transfer of freedoms and flexibilities to other councils will be considered in the light of experience by beacons. We will consult widely before establishing the scheme for beacon councils.

  English Nature
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that no conflict of interest arises as a result of the Chairman of English Nature being also a non-executive director of a water company; and if he will make a statement. [57898]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Baroness Young was required to seek consent from the Minister to join the Board of Anglican Water. The Minister gave his consent noting that Baroness Young's predecessor combined both posts without difficulty, and there are adequate provisions for dealing with conflicts of interest in English Nature's Council's Code of Practice.

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those organisations with which he has had discussions during the consultation on his paper, a Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd.; and when he expects to reach his conclusions. [57915]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government published a consultation paper on their preferred option for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. on 20 October 1998 and responses to the paper have been requested by 31 January 1999. We will take account of the views expressed when reaching final decisions on the proposal early next year.

  Since the consultation paper was published there have been no discussions with interested parties on the issues raised in the paper. I have, however, given evidence to the Transport Sub Committee and propose to have a meeting shortly with representatives of the CAA and NATS Trade Unions.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the statutory bodies and agencies which receive Government funding to promote energy efficiency and (b) the level of funding each received in the last year for which figures are available. [57907]

  Mr. Meale
  In 1997–98, the Government provided funding to 6 organisations to carry out programmes promoting energy efficiency. None is a statutory body or agency. Details of the funding they received are as follows:

  Organisation

  £ million

  BRECSU (Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme)

  7.9

  ETSU (Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme)

  7.8

  EAGA Ltd. (Home Energy Efficiency Scheme)

  74.3

  Energy Action (Scotland)

  0.1

  NEA

  0.7

  Energy Saving Trust

  19.7

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department spent on the promotion of energy efficiency in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [57906]

  Mr. Meale
  The funding made available by my Department on programmes to promote energy efficiency across all sectors in the United Kingdom in the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 is set out as follows:

  1995–96: £128.5 million

  1996–97: £116.0 million

  1997–98: £110.5 million.

  Under the government's Comprehensive Spending Review, my Department's spending on programmes to promote energy efficiency is planned to rise to a total of £222.6 million in 2001–02.

  Road Traffic Reduction
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to secure a reduction in road traffic levels over the next three years. [57710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government made clear in the recent White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" that, in order to tackle the congestion and pollution that is caused by road traffic, we need to reduce the rate of road traffic growth. We also said that we want to see an absolute reduction in traffic in those places and streets where the greatest environmental damage is done. The White Paper set out how we plan to achieve these objectives through integrated transport policies acting at the national and local level.

  The first reports contained assessments of how, and over what time scale, our policies are expected to impact on road traffic will be produced during 1999. The Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 obliges each local traffic authority to produce a report assessing existing and forecast levels of traffic on those roads for which it is the highway authority, and the results of its consideration of whether or not to set targets for road traffic reduction on

  459
  local roads in its area. We expect local authorities to submit the first, non-statutory interim, reports in July 1999 as part of their provisional local transport plans. In the light of these interim reports and plans, analysis of the impact of other measures we are proposing on road traffic, and advice from the independent Commission for Integrated Transport which we will be setting up, we will produce our first report under the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998 on the question of national targets for road traffic reduction by the end of 1999.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of catalytic converters on the levels of plutonium in the air; what recent studies have been carried out to establish those levels; and if he will make a statement. [57226]

  Mr. Meale
  Catalytic converters are not expected to have any effect on the levels of plutonium in air. However, they do contain platinum group metals. My Department commissioned a report from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in 1994 on the levels of these metals in the UK environment. The report concluded that there is no evidence of risks to human health from the use of platinum group metals in vehicle catalytic converters.

  Local Authorities (Guidance)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidance to local authorities to assist them in reviewing their decision-making structures in advance of legislation to give effect to his White Paper proposals. [57781]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government welcomed the publication on 21 September by the Local Government Association of such a document entitled "Modernising Political Management Arrangements—Options within the Existing Legislative Framework".

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out for each year from 1992–93 to 1998–99 the(a) amount of RSG, (b) real value of RSG in April 1998 prices, (c) proportion of the RSG that reflects demographic and other volume changes and (d) proportion of RSG that accounts for new responsibilities. [57783]

  Ms Armstrong
  The following table sets out total Revenue Support Grant (RSG) paid to English local authorities between 1992–93 and 1998–99 in cash, and in real terms at 1998–99 values using the GDP deflator.
  460

  Revenue Support Grant (RSG)

  £ million

  Year

  RSG Cash

  RSG Real terms

  1992–93

  16,679

  19,450

  1993–94

  17,052

  19,371

  1994–95

  18,497

  20,715

  1995–96

  18,314

  19,931

  1996–97

  18,024

  19,030

  1997–98

  18,675

  19,217

  1998–99

  19,500

  19,500

  The total of all local authorities' Standard Spending Assessments (so-called "net Total Standard Spending", or "net TSS") is that portion of local authority expenditure which the Government wish to support through general grants such as Revenue Support Grant. In deciding net TSS, we take into account relevant demographic and other volume changes affecting local authority services, as well as new local authority responsibilities, the scope for efficiencies, and the amount the country as a whole can afford. Because the settlement represents our assessment of local government spending needs in the round, it is not possible to say how much has been included either for particular, or in total for, new responsibilities and other pressures.

  Area Committees
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to allow local authorities which choose to establish area or neighbourhood committees to delegate decision-making on matters concerning their locality. [57782]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Bringing councils closer to the people and empowering local communities is at the heart of our policies. We believe the new political management structures proposed in our White Paper—"Modern Local Government—In touch with the people" (Cm 4014)—will ensure councils are best able to take decision which are open, accountable, and meet the needs of all their local neighbourhoods and communities.

  Low-energy Lightbulbs
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the use of low-energy lightbulbs. [57669]

  Mr. Meale
  The energy efficiency of lighting is a significant environmental issue, given that lighting accounts for about a fifth of the electricity consumed in the UK. Research carried out for my Department suggests that there is economic and technical potential to save 32 per cent. of that energy. The Government already support a wide-ranging programme of measures, at national and European level, to encourage energy efficient lighting; and consultation is under way about further ways of delivering the potential savings.

  At a national level, our Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme provides valuable guidance to building professionals on cost-effective, energy efficient lighting measures. In addition, we are currently reviewing provisions in the Building Regulations to see, amongst other things, how standards of lamp efficacy, lighting system control and encouragement of better use of

  461
  daylight might be improved, for both new buildings and existing ones. Promotion of energy efficient lighting is carried out by the Energy Saving Trust, both through its overall "Energy Efficiency" campaign and through a new project, "Lightswitch", aimed at the non-domestic sector.

  At EU level we continue to support common and co-ordinated policy measures to provide product information, raise product standards and facilitate the procurement of energy efficient lighting products. This activity is closely informed by the Market Transformation Programme, which we run in the UK to research the trends in the market and to consult with a full range of stakeholder groups about possible measures for hastening improvements in performance. An important next phase of the action coordinated at EU level will be the introduction of mandatory energy labels for light bulbs, on which we plan to have UK Regulations in place next June.

  While continuing work of this kind to promote the uptake of more efficient lighting equipment, we shall also continue to promote general messages about using lights more efficiently, through my Department's "Are You Doing Your Bit?" campaign.

  Windfarm (Lambrigg)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call in the planning permission granted by South Lakeland District Council for a windfarm at Lambrigg, Cumbria. [57865]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am currently considering whether the planning application should be called in. I will ensure that the hon. Member is notified of the decision as soon as possible.

  Rural Action
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received options from the Rural Action National Steering Group on the future funding of Rural Action. [58267]

  Mr. Meale
  No, but we understand that the contractor for the Rural Action National Steering Group has prepared a draft Business Plan setting out a strategy for the future of Rural Action and proposals for its funding. The draft is under consideration by The National Steering Group.

  Road Noise
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies into the potential for reducing noise from roads in residential areas he undertook during the preparation of the roads White Paper. [58245]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England confirmed that we will continue to develop noise reducing surfaces. Account was taken of recent developments in road surfacing technology but no new studies were undertaken.

  Rating Review (West Dorset)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess 462
  the effects on business in West Dorset of a rating review for non-domestic rates, conducted in 2000, but based on rental values of April 1998; and if he will make a statement. [58243]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The next non-domestic rating revaluation in England will come into force on 1 April 2000 and will be based on rental values at 1 April 1998. The revaluation will not be completed until late 1999, and therefore, it is too early to predict its effects on business in West Dorset.

  Parish Trustees
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to encourage trustees under any circumstances to act under the Local Government Act 1972, section 13(3) and section 13(4) in the absence of a direction being given by the relevant parish meeting. [58222]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The appointment of Parish trustees, who are simply the depository of the title to parish property, is a matter for the parish meeting. A judgment of the Court of Appeal has indicated that they may take steps appropriate for the protection of parish property provided that those steps are not in conflict with any direction given by the parish meeting.

  Motor Vehicles (Imports)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow an increase in the number of personal imports of motor vehicles from outwith the EU. [57938]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A public consultation began on 14 October about proposals to alter the existing arrangements for importing cars and light goods vehicles that have not been type-approved in the EU. We propose to tighten the personal import rules, so that only individuals who have lived abroad for at least 12 months, and have used the vehicle there for at least six months, will be able to use the current Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) inspection. For other non type-approved imports, we propose an end to the fixed limits on the number of vehicles of any one model that may enter service, coupled with an enhanced SVA inspection of the key safety, security and environmental standards that have to be met before the vehicle can be licensed and registered. These enhanced standards are broadly equivalent to EU type-approval but can still be applied at reasonable cost. The proposed measures are designed to improve the choice of vehicles available to consumers, whilst maintaining the safety and environmental standards appropriate for use in Britain.

  Wild Boar (West Dorset)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to eliminate feral populations of wild boar in West Dorset. [58247]

  Mr. Meale
  Whilst we are keeping the situation under review, the small numbers of animals estimated at present to be in Dorset are not believed to pose any immediate threat to health, safety or native biodiversity. Therefore, there are no plans to eradicate the animals.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1998–99. [58337]

  Mr. Prescott
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, my Department's cash limits will change as follows. All references to the take-up of end year flexibility refer to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's announcement of 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 131–36.

  (i) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 1—Housing, construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England—will be reduced by £9,200,000 from £1,801,539,000 to £1,792,339,000. This decrease is the result of reducing spending on private sector renewal on Section P. It will allow an increase in provision by £9,200,000 on the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 13— Ordnance Survey.

  Paragraph 5 of the introduction to the 1998–99 Main Estimate for Class VI, Vote 1 says that the Urban Regeneration Agency will surrender to the Consolidated Fund any receipts in excess of £11.6 million. The figure should have read £116 million.

  (ii) the DETP/LACAP(e) (Local Authority Capital-Environment) non voted cash limit will be increased by £3,234,000 from £924,998,000 to £928,232,000 to allow further Supplementary Credit Approvals to be issued to local authorities to enable funding of additional Cash Incentive Scheme grants. The increase results from the take-up of end year flexibility.

  (iii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 2—Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety—will be reduced by £3,425,000 from £364,579,000 to £361,154,000. The reduction arises from the take-up of £172,000 capital end year flexibility and an increase of £36,403,000 to provide for the write-off of debt owed by the Humber Bridge Board to the Public Works Loan Board, less an inter vote transfer from this vote to Class VI, Vote 6, of £40,000,000 reflecting London Transport's responsibility for the Croydon Tramlink project.

  (iv) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 3—Environmental protection and water—will be increased by £537,000 from £334,237,000 to £334,774,000. The increase results from the take up of the £582,000 capital end year flexibility to increase grant in aid to the British Waterways Board; and an inter vote transfer of £147,000 from Class XVII, Vote 1 (Property Advisers to the Civil Estate) to increase grant in aid to the Environment Agency to pay for additional accommodation costs; offset by inter vote transfers from this vote to Class XIII, Vote 3 and Class XIV, Vote 2 for the Scottish and Welsh regional energy efficiency offices (£40,000 and £44,000); to Class XIII, Vote 3 for grant to Energy Action Scotland (£24,000); and to Class VI, Vote 5 to allow for increased Departmental running costs following the winding up of the UK Ecolabelling Board (£84,000).

  As a consequence of (iv) above, there will be an increase to the external financing limit for the British Waterways Board of £582,000 from £52,690,000 to £53,272,000. This change will enable the Board to fund urgent works on the canal network.
  464
  (v) the DETR/LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) Non-Voted Cash Limit will be decreased by £750,000 from £126,550,000 to £125,800,000, reflecting savings on the Local Government Residuary Body's borrowing approvals. This saving will be used to offset an increase outside the cash limit on Class VI, Vote 4 (Local Government and Regional Policy, England) to pay for the costs of emergency financial assistance to local authorities.

  (vi) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 5—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: administration—will be increased by £2,642,000 from £437,850,000 to £440,492,000. As a consequence of the changes to the Vote, the gross running cost limit for the Health and Safety Executive has increased by £249,000 from £156,696,000 to £156,945,000 and the gross running cost limit for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has decreased by £16,000 from £603,653,000 to £603,637,000.

  The changes reflect the take-up of £2,500,000 of the available £6,000,000 capital end year flexibility as well as inter-vote transfers: from Class V, Vote 1 of £150,000 and Class IX, Vote 1 of £250,000 in respect of capital costs for the Government Offices for the Regions; from Class V, Vote 1 of £300,000, of which £249,000 will be classified as running costs, for the additional costs to the Health and Safety Commission in enforcing the Working Time Regulations; and, from Class VI, Vote 3 of £84,000 for the running costs from absorbing the functions of the UK Ecolabelling Board; offset by inter-vote transfers from this Vote to Class XIII, Vote 6 of £50,000 and Class XIV, Vote 3 of £50,000 for energy efficiency work and an increase in appropriations-in-aid of £542,000 for the Sale of PSA Services Businesses.

  (vii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 6—Transport Industries—will be increased by £130,000 from £75,060,000 to £75,190,000. The change is a result of increases in the latest estimates of the National Bus Company pensions case legal costs. London Underground's external finance limit will be increased by £69,000,000 from £523,250,000 to £592,250,000. This relates to the take-up of £29,000,000 capital end year flexibility and an inter-vote transfer from Class VI, Vote 2 of £40,000,000 in respect of the Croydon Tramlink.

  (viii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 11—Office of the Rail Regulator—will be increased by £120,000 from £8,800,000 to £8,920,000. This increase reflects the take-up of £120,000 capital end year flexibility. There will also be a reduction of £205,000 from £8,400,000 to £8,195,000 in running costs to be transferred to capital within the cash limit. Such additional funding will allow the scheduled maintenance and refurbishment of office space currently occupied by the Rail Users Consultative Committee (RUCC) for Scotland to proceed.

  (ix) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 13—Ordnance Survey—will be increased by £9,200,000 from £3,762,000 to £12,962,000. The increase reflects investments and expenditure necessary for Ordnance Survey to prepare for the move to a Trading Fund on 1 April 1999 and results from a transfer from the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 1.
  465
  The overall increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Trans-European Networks
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the United Kingdom schemes that(a) have received and (b) will receive funding from the European Union in respect of trans-European networks, indicating in each case (i) the

  United Kingdom transport schemes in receipt of EU Trans European Network (TEN) funding

  All figures in million ecu

  Column 1 Scheme

  Column 2 Total amount awarded to date

  Column 3 Total amount received

  Column 4 Total estimated eligible cost of scheme for TEN support

  Column 5 TEN award (Col.2) as a percentage contribution of total scheme costs (Col.4) for corresponding period

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link

  91.000

  71.300

  668.700

  14

  West Coast Main Line

  34.800

  24.927

  360.615

  10

  Ireland-UK-Benelux Road Link (Studies in England)

  5.400

  2.700

  24.963

  22

  RDS-TMC Implementation in the UK

  1.150

  0.575

  2.600

  44

  Newry-Dundalk cross border road link study

  0.325

  0.162

  0.325

  100

  ROADLINK Traffic Information System

  0.300

  0.150

  0.600

  50

  Aeronautical Telecom Network Implementation study

  0.745

  0.372

  1.490

  50

  European Coastal VHF Infrastructure for GMDSS

  0.125

  0.050

  3.750

  3

  Great Western Lines study (Bristol-Penzance)

  0.800

  0.400

  1.600

  50

  Pre-op. studies Automatic Dependent Surveillance/CPDLC

  0.800

  0.400

  1.600

  50

  Traffic Management studies—Wales

  0.400

  0.200

  1.100

  36

  A75 The Glen improvement

  1.300

  0.650

  13.052

  10

  UK Ports studies (1997 group)

  0.700

  0.350

  1.500

  47

  Trans Pennine Strategic Environmental Assessment study

  0.245

  0.123

  0.475

  52

  Manchester Airport Ground Interchange Phase 1

  0.500

  0

  5.453

  9

  London Luton Airport People Mover study

  0.600

  0.300

  1.230

  49

  UK Ports Rail Access Studies

  0.600

  0.300

  1.447

  41

  Ports Vessel Traffic System & VTMIS Studies

  0.500

  0.250

  1.191

  42

  Telematics & Traffic Management on the TERN

  1.000

  0.500

  4.100

  24

  Harwich Port Access & Interchange facilities

  0.500

  0.200

  5.440

  9

  Cardiff Airport Access Road study (1998 Phase)

  1.300

  0.650

  2.653

  49

  Stranraer Area Integrated Transport Package

  1.000

  0.400

  2.100

  48

  Note:

  RDS-TMC—Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel

  GMDSS—Global Maritime Distress and Safety Service

  CPDLC—Controller Pilot Data Link Communication

  VTMIS—Vessel Traffic Management Information System

  TERN—Trans European Road Network

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  "News At Ten"
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the Prime Minister's Press Secretary regarding the proposal to change the time of "News at Ten". [57214]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: None.
  466
  name of the scheme, (ii) the amount received, (iii) the total cost of the scheme and (iv) the proportion of (iii) represented by (ii) expressed as a percentage. [57692]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The details requested are in the following table. Trans-European Network (TEN) funding is paid in stages. Therefore it is necessary to distinguish between the amount of support awarded to a scheme and the amount actually received to date. Total estimated eligible costs for TEN support for a scheme are, in the case of ongoing projects for which further bids are expected to be made in future years, for the period 1995 to 1998 inclusive, and are not whole life scheme costs.

  Spending Plans
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out his Department's spending plans in each of the next three years in 1998 prices. [57205]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The Department's spending plans for the next three years at 1997–98 prices may be found in Table A3 on page 109 of the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper (Cm 4011) published in July.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the names of those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May 1997,

  Sponsored body

  Role

  Name

  Remuneration

  Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites

  Member

  Stuart Bryan

  N

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Chairman

  John Tusa

  N

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Member

  Mary Rose Beaumont, BA(Hons)

  N

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  Member

  Grace Kempster

  N

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Trustee

  Jane Sharman, CBE

  N

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Trustee

  John Heritage Pavitt

  N

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Trustee

  Robert Clow Esq.

  N

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Trustee

  William Cadell

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Chairman

  Gerrard (Gerry) Jude Robinson

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Prudence Skene

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Anish Kapoor

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Antony Gormley

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Cllr. George Loggie

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Derrick Anderson

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Joanna McGregor

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Deborah Bull

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Christopher Price

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  David Brierley, CBE

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  David Waldorf Astor, CBE, FRSA

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Rod Natkiel

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Roger Reed

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Trevor Phillips

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Hilary Jane Veronica Strong

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Professor Andrew Motion

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Professor Christopher Frayling

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Professor Raymond Cowell

  N

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Professor Stuart Timperley

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Chairman

  Alan Parker, CBE

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Deputy Chairman

  Joan Bakewell

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Alan Howden

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Eric Senat

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Gus Macdonald

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Ronnie Kells

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Simon Olswang

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Tony Elliott

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Charles Denton

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Barry Norman

  N

  British Film Institute Governors

  Governor

  Professor Brian Winston

  N

  British Library Board

  Member

  Bernard Naylor

  Y

  British Library Board

  Member

  Professor Michael Anderson

  Y

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Alan E.M. Britten, MA

  Y

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Des Wilson

  Y

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  John Jarvis

  Y

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Patrick McKenna

  Y

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Deputy Chairman

  Suzanne Warner

  Y

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Sioned Wyn Thomas

  Y

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin

  Y

  Crafts Council

  Member

  David H. Davis

  N

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Janice Tchalenko

  N

  Crafts Council

  Member

  John Buston

  N

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Paul Biddle

  N

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Jennie Moncur

  N

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Andrew Fane Esq.

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  HRH The Duke of Gloucester, KG, GCVO

  N

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Lady Elizabeth Gass, DL

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Susan Lois Underwood

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Loyd Daniel Gilman Grossman

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Bridget Cherry, FSA

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Candida Lycett Green

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Amanda Arrowsmith

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Kirsty McLeod

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Professor Eric Fernie, CBE

  Y

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  The right hon. the Lord Faringdon

  Y

  English Sports Council

  Acting Chairman

  Trevor Brooking, MBE

  Y

  English Sports Council

  Member

  Garth Anthony Crooks

  N

  468
  indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and whether they receive remuneration. [56786]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The information requested is in the following
  469

  Sponsored body

  Role

  Name

  Remuneration

  English Sports Council

  Member

  Carol Gustafson

  N

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Jennifer Robson

  Y

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  David Lunn

  Y

  Geffrye Museum

  Trustee

  Philip Hedley

  N

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Member

  Baron Inge of Richmond

  N

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Member

  Dr. Simon Richard Jones, LVO

  N

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Member

  Jane Sharman, CBE

  N

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Member

  M. Herbert MA (Oxon), FCA, FRSA, CBE

  N

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Member

  Angela Heylin

  N

  Horniman Museum

  Trustee

  Professor Kenneth Gregory

  N

  Horniman Museum

  Trustee

  Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, FRS

  N

  Imperial War Museum

  Trustee

  Kate Adie, OBE

  N

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Alistair G. Balls, CB

  Y

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Sir Michael Checkland

  Y

  Independent Television Commission

  Member Wales

  Winston Roddick, QC

  Y

  Library and Information Commission

  Chairman

  Matthew Evans, CBE

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Claire Rayner

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Councillor Edwin Arram, CMA, MBIFM

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Dr. R.A. McKee BA, MA, PhD, ALA, MllnfSc, FRSA

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Dr. Sandra Ward

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Derek Law

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Mark Wood

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Grace Kempster

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Professor Judith Elkin

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey

  N

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer

  N

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  Chairman

  John Lee

  N

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  Trustee

  Rajkumari Williamson

  N

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  Vice-Chairman

  Virginia Halliwell

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Chairman

  Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, CBE

  Y

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Carol Vorderman

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Catherine McKeever

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Dr. Chris Evans, OBE

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Clive Gillinson

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  David Wardell

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Dr. Bridget Ogilvie DBE, ScD

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Francois Matarasso

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Genista Mcintosh

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Janice Kirkpatrick

  N

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Trustee

  Sir Martin Rees

  N

  National Film and Television School Governors

  Governor

  John McVay

  N

  National Film and Television School Governors

  Governor

  Roger Bolton

  N

  National Film and Television School Governors

  Governor

  Tim Bevan

  N

  National Film and Television School Governors

  Governor

  Kate Wilson

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Chairman

  The Hon. David D. Sieff

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member England

  Steven Howard Burkeman

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member England

  Barbara Joan Lowndes

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member England

  Stella Rosemary Clarke, DL, CBE

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member N. Ireland

  John Simpson

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member N. Ireland

  William Bell Osborne

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member N. Ireland

  Noel Stewart

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member Scotland

  Ronald Edward Partington

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member Scotland

  Anne Clark

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member Scotland

  Kay Hampton

  N

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member UK

  Amanda Janet Jordan

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member UK

  Tessa Baring

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member UK

  Sir Adam Nicholas Ridley

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member Wales

  Thomas Henry Jones

  Y

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member Wales

  Elisabeth Watkins

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Chairman

  David McDonnell

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Councillor Frank Prendergast

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Dr. Janet Kear

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Graham Barrie Marsh

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Voirrey Elizabeth Branthwaite

  N

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Professor Preston Theodore King

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Chairman

  The Baroness Pitkeathley, OBE

  Y

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Dr. Sian Griffiths

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Dugald Mackie

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Melinda Letts

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Nita Clarke

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Professor Eric James Bolton

  N

  470 471

  Sponsored body

  Role

  Name

  Remuneration

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  Professor John Allan Patmore, CBE

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member England

  Jill Helen Barrow

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member N. Ireland

  Roisin McDonough

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member Scotland

  David Campbell

  N

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member Wales

  Jane Hutt

  N

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Chairman

  Michael Holroyd

  N

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Member

  Claire Tomalin

  N

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Member

  Hilary Marry Mantel

  N

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Member

  Linda Hopkins

  N

  Radio Authority

  Deputy Chairman

  Michael Moriarty

  Y

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Member

  Ian Gow

  N

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Member

  Sir Jack Baer

  N

  Royal Armouries

  Member

  Richard Whiteley

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Chairman

  Sir Christopher Anthony Hogg

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Hon. Peter Benson

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Michael Oliver

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Joan Bakewell

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Sue MacGregor, OBE

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Sir Ian McKellen, CBE

  N

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Sir Thomas Stoppard

  N

  Royal Parks Ministerial Advisory Board

  Member

  Barbara Abensur

  N

  Royal Parks Ministerial Advisory Board

  Member

  Frank Constable

  N

  S4C

  Chairman

  Ifan Prys Edwards

  Y

  S4C

  Chairman

  Elan Closs Stephens

  Y

  S4C

  Member

  Cefin Campbell

  Y

  S4C

  Member

  Nic Parry

  Y

  Theatres Trust

  Chairman

  Sir John Drummond

  N

  Theatres Trust

  Member

  Martyn Heighton

  N

  Theatres Trust

  Trustee

  John Muir

  N

  Theatres Trust

  Trustee

  Yvonne Brewster

  N

  Theatres Trust

  Trustee

  Sir Stephen Harry Waley-Cohen

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Chairman

  Lord Stewartby

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Trustee

  John Casey

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Trustee

  Patrick Finn

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Trustee

  Dennis Jordan

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Trustee

  Professor Norman Palmer

  N

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Trustee

  Dr. Jack Ogden

  N

  United Kingdom Sports Council

  Chairman

  Sir Rodney Walker

  N

  United Kingdom Sports Council

  Member

  Trevor Brooking, MBE

  N

PRIME MINISTER

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 1 September 1998, when(a) he, (b) his advisers and (c) staff in the Cabinet Office have (i) received communications from and (ii) had discussions with (1) representatives of the US Government and (2) companies with a commercial interest in the development of GMOs, in respect of genetically modified organisms, indicating the nature of such communications and meetings. [57703]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: I, Ministers, advisers and other civil servants receive representations from and meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with representatives from foreign governments and with interest groups outside Government. By convention it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available.

  The Government's position on GMOs was explained on 21 October 1998 by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, Sub-Committee D. Ministers have made it
  472
  clear that public health and the protection of the environment are the Government's first priority on GMOs. On the same day I announced the establishment of a new Cabinet Committee to oversee developments in the area of biotechnology.

  Pörtschach
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed transfer of political powers from Her Majesty's Government to the WEU; [57918]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposed transfer of military powers to the WEU. [57917]

  The Prime Minister
  This was an informal meeting of the Heads of Government at Pörtschach, in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today, Official Report, column 473, to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend). The Government have not proposed to transfer political or military powers to the WEU.
  473
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if the proposals set out by Her Majesty's Government at Portschach on the establishment of a closer EU defence formation included extension of qualified majority voting; [58010]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the differences between the proposals his Government set forward at Portschach on more integrated EU defence, and those established in the Treaty of Amsterdam; [58011]

  (3) if he will list documents pertaining to the proposals of Her Majesty's Government to the Portschach Conference which his Government have distributed to other member states as regards closer defence co-operation. [58012]

  The Prime Minister
  This meeting of the Heads of Government was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

  At the meeting, I made clear my wish to see Europe examine ways of developing its defence identity. I did not put forward any detailed proposals and did not propose the extension of Qualified Majority Voting. The Government have not distributed any documents to other Member States of the European Union on closer defence co-operation. I stressed that NATO should remain the foundation of collective security. I made clear it that the starting point for discussion should be the 1996 Berlin decision on the European Security and Defence Identity and the Treaty of Amsterdam.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will establish a Royal Commission to review the effectiveness of and justification for animal experiments. [57875]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are committed to ensuring that animals are used in scientific procedures only where this is fully justified. Furthermore, we are working to ensure that the highest possible standards of animal welfare are implemented.

  We have, for example, already announced:
  that we are promoting the development and use of alternatives (which reduce the number of animals used, refine procedures to minimise suffering, and replace animal use) where possible—the budget made available to the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research on alternatives has been increased by 42 per cent. and scientists will now be required to demonstrate what consideration they have given to the use of alternatives;
  an end to the test of cosmetic products on animals;
  that we are exploring the possibility of extending this ban to cover cosmetic ingredients—in the meantime, no new licences to test cosmetic products or ingredients have been issued since May 1997;
  a ban on the use of animals to test tobacco or alcohol products;
  that further funding has been secured to increase the complement of the Inspectorate from 18 to 21, seven new inspectors recruited to fill these and other vacancies;
  that, through the European Commission, we are putting pressure on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to delete the LD50 test from its list of regulatory safety tests;
  that ethical review processes will be required in all establishments from April 1999;
  474
  a ban on the use of Great Apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees and orang-utans);
  that the use of ascitic animals in monoclonal antibody production will be phased out; and
  an increase to the number of animal welfare experts on the Animal Procedures Committee.

  We have not ruled out a Royal Commission. The Government believe, however, that it is best to use the available resources to make immediate improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 until such time as we are able to make a considered judgment about the merits of such a proposal.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what changes have been made to the arrangements for pre-election contacts between senior civil servants and opposition parties since the evidence by the then Head of the Civil Service to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on 27 November 1985; [57954]

  (2) if the contacts between senior civil servants in the Treasury and the then shadow Chancellor before the 1997 General Election were directed exclusively to questions of organisation. [57955]

  The Prime Minister
  The current arrangements for pre-election contacts between senior civil servants and Opposition parties do not differ significantly from those in place in 1985. The only substantial change since 1985 was agreed after the 1992 General Election to take account of the fact that, under our electoral arrangements, it is only the last possible date for the next General Election that is known in advance. At the suggestion of the then Leader of the Opposition, the then Prime Minister agreed that it should be possible for such contacts to take place from 16 months before the 1992 Parliament would complete its maximum five-year term. Previously, contacts had been allowed to begin in the last six months of a five-year Parliament, an arrangement which was considered to have precluded effective contacts before the 1983 and 1987 General Elections.

  The format for such contacts remains essentially the same as that set out by the then Head of the Home Civil Service in 1985. The purpose of the meetings is to allow Opposition parties to inform themselves of factual questions of departmental organisation and to inform senior civil servants of any organisational change of Government. Such meetings are confidential on both sides. These were the arrangements governing all contacts in the run-up to the 1997 Election.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [57774]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government encourage greater openness of public bodies, wherever practical and appropriate. The extent to which the records of any specific task force or review group are published or placed on the Internet is a matter for the relevant sponsoring Department.

  Inter-ministerial Committees
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each of the inter-ministerial committees, indicating(a) when it was established, (b) who chairs it and (c) the frequency of its meetings. [57775]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1123–35.

  Council of Europe (50th Anniversary)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe. [56917]

  The Prime Minister
  We intend to mark the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe in London on 5 May 1999 with an evening reception in St. James's Palace where the Statute was signed. We shall invite key representatives of the Council of Europe from Strasbourg and from foreign Governments, as well as a broad range of people from UK organisations most closely involved in Council of Europe activities. My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor will also be making a speech in the Palace of Westminster on the same day. We have separately invited Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede to chair the UK National Committee which will organise other events independently of Government.

  Belfast Agreement
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister what response he has made to the request of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights to be consulted about the structure and scope of bodies established as part of the Belfast Agreement. [56298]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 403.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Profession (Recruitment)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what targets he has set to broaden recruitment within the legal profession. [56139]

  Mr. Hoon
  Recruitment to the legal professions is primarily a matter for the professions themselves. Both the Bar Council and the Law Society have adopted policies designed to ensure that entrance to the profession is based on merit alone. This is something which the Government strongly support.

  Rights of Audience
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he proposes to grant solicitors full rights of audience; and if those rights will be extended to barristers who have left private practice and are now employed. [56140]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government published a consultation paper in June which set out our plans to extend the rights of audience both of solicitors in private practice and of 476
  employed barristers and solicitors. Extending rights of audience will require primary legislation, and I hope we will bring proposals before Parliament at an early opportunity.

  Law Centres
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has for establishing law centres in areas which do not at present have them. [56142]

  Mr. Hoon
  Yesterday 2 November 1998, my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor outlined our proposals for a Community Legal Service, which will aim to ensure that every area will have access to a comprehensive network of legal service providers, of consistently good quality, so that people with actual or potential legal problems are able to find the information and help they need. I hope Law Centres will play a full part in the Community Legal Service. A consultation document on the detail of our proposals for the Community Legal Service will be published early next year.

  Judiciary (Criminal Investigations)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is his Department's policy on the suspension with pay of members of the judiciary, pending criminal investigations. [56143]

  Mr. Hoon
  Each case must be considered on its own merits. However the Lord Chancellor would not normally consider it appropriate for a judge who was the subject of serious criminal proceedings to continue to sit pending the outcome of the case. Where the salary of a judge in such a position is protected by statute (as with Circuit Judges) salary must by law continue to be paid in full throughout this period. Such salary protection which prevents the salary of serving judges from being reduced or withheld whilst they continue to hold office is a vital part of securing the independence of the judiciary. Judges may be removed from office only in limited circumstances and subject to the relevant statutory provision. The Lord Chancellor may remove a Circuit Judge only on the grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity.

  Ministerial Meetings (Law Society)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many times in the last 12 months he has met representatives of the Law Society; and what was discussed. [56144]

  Mr. Hoon
  In the last 12 months I have met representatives of the Law Society in a formal capacity on 7 occasions, to discuss conditional fees and legal aid, small claims, standard fees, the legal aid reforms, legal aid remuneration and the proposed changes to ancillary relief.

  Family Law Act 1996
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if the first six information meeting pilots on the Family Law Act 1996 have been completed; and if he will place in the Library his Department's assessment of the success of the pilots. [56949]
  477
  Mr. Hoon
  Three of the first six pilots closed in March 1998. Independent research relating to these and later pilots is still continuing.

  Marriage Support Services
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what initiatives his Department has taken to assist marriage support services. [56950]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department currently provides core funding to six marriage support and research organisations. For the financial year 1998–99 further funding has been given to eight pilot and research projects. Nearly £3 million has been allocated this year. The Lord Chancellor has commissioned an independent review of the Department's funding of marriage support. Details will be announced shortly. The results of the review will assist the Lord Chancellor in developing a strategy for the effective allocation of resources to marriage support services.

SCOTLAND

  Economy
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies his Department has made of the effects on the Scottish economy of the lower growth assumptions for the UK economy in 1998–99. [56111]

  Mr. Dewar
  The most recent independent forecast from Business Strategies Limited, published last month, suggests that growth in Scottish GDP will be slightly below UK growth in 1998 but will exceed UK growth in 1999. Unemployment in Scotland continues to fall, and employment to rise.

  Incomes
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people he estimates in Scotland have household income below half of the national average; and what steps he is taking to alleviate the impact of poverty. [56114]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We estimate that some one million people in Scotland have incomes below half the national average. The Government are determined to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion and we are doing so by a range of policies which are designed, first, to support families; secondly, to provide opportunities for all who can to work; and thirdly, to provide security and protection for the most vulnerable.

  Bankruptcy
  Dr. Lynda Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the operation of bankruptcy law in Scotland. [56115]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office is considering responses to a consultation paper on Apparent Insolvency which proposed amendments to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985; and has recently held a follow up consultation on Protected Trust Deeds.

  Government Spending
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of total per capita Government expenditure in Scotland in 1999–2000. [56116]

  Mr. Dewar
  The latest available estimate for Government spending per capita in Scotland is for 1995–96. The figure in that year was £6,010.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that Scottish service men are able to vote in the elections to the Scottish Parliament. [56117]

  Mr. McLeish
  Scottish service men and women are already provided for under existing legislation. We see no need for this to be amended. Provided that they have made a service declaration to appear on the register in Scotland they will be eligible to vote by proxy no matter where in the world they will be at the time of the elections to the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the future Scottish Parliament on his accountability to hon. Members. [56118]

  Mr. McLeish
  The establishment of the Scottish Parliament will alter the range of issues for which the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible. The Government intend to submit evidence to the Procedure Committee for its inquiry into the procedural consequences of devolution shortly.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Scottish Parliament. [56130]

  Mr. McLeish
  The estimated construction costs of the building at Holyrood will be around £55 million, including site acquisition costs and demolition costs but not including fees and VAT. The actual cost will depend on the final design, and the price of construction, which will be determined by competitive tender.

  The annual running costs of the Scottish Parliament will depend on a number of factors yet to be settled including the hours of operation. The current estimate is around £30 million.

  A1
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will designate the Al trunk road as a core national route. [56119]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The term "core national route" relates to nationally important routes in England. Decisions on priorities for trunk road investment in Scotland will be taken in the light of the current Strategic Roads Review.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to modify the regulations covering the ownership, management and inspection of private residential homes and nursing homes for the elderly. [56121]
  479
  Mr. Galbraith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave him on 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 156, and 17 March 1998, Official Report, column 569. These indicated that legislation on the regulation and inspection of residential and nursing home care and domiciliary care will follow when a suitable opportunity presents.

  Cullen Report
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to implement Lord Cullen's recommendations on the introduction of a national system to ensure that there are adequate checks on the suitability of youth leaders and workers. [56123]

  Mr. Galbraith
  We are discussing across Government a package of measures aimed at preventing unsuitable persons from obtaining access to children. We expect to announce our conclusions on this shortly.

  Housing
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the quality of Scotland's housing stock. [56125]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Almost £500 million of public money has been allocated for housing in Scotland in 1998/99 and an additional £300 million has been made available over the next three years linked, in particular, to the development of the New Housing Partnership initiative. These resources, together with the private finance which they will attract will provide new and improved stock in all housing tenures across Scotland. We are also improving housing quality by investing in home energy efficiency, linked to the New Deal, by the introduction of barrier free standards in new housing funded by Scottish Homes and by bringing empty houses back into use through the Empty Homes Initiative.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the higher and further education sector in Scotland to discuss funding levels. [56126]

  Mrs. Liddell
  On 26 October I met representatives of the Association of Scottish Colleges. We discussed funding for the further education sector, and the Association told me they welcomed the Government's announcement that we are to invest an additional £214 million into further education over the next three years, to support further increases in student numbers, enhance quality in delivery and stabilise the financial position of the sector.

  On 30 October, I addressed a Forum of the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals at which, among other topics, funding was discussed. At the Forum I announced a further funding boost of £15 million for Scotland's Higher Education sector; this is in addition to the extra £230 million we are investing in Scottish higher education over the next three years. This additional funding will be vital in meeting the Government's objectives of widening access to higher education and modernising teaching and research to support a knowledge economy. It was, I believe, strongly welcomed by the higher education sector.
  480
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the procedure for selection of boards of management of colleges of further and higher education in Scotland. [56127]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Schedule 2 to the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 sets out the requirements regarding the composition of the Boards of Management of further education colleges, and eligibility criteria for their appointment. Beyond these statutory requirements, however, appointments to the boards of management are for individual institutions themselves to determine and I have no plans to review that procedure.

  With assistance from the Department, the Association of Scottish Colleges (ASC) established a working group on college governance in 1997. Guidance was then issued by the ASC to the sector on issues such as written public appointment procedures and the operation of search and nomination committees. The guidance reflects the recommendations on public appointments set out in the second report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The ASC are presently surveying the extent to which Boards of Management have taken this guidance on board.

  I expect Board procedures for the appointment of members to comply with the provisions of Schedule 2 to the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 and have regard to the advice and recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish local authorities regarding the level of public expenditure per head in 1998–99. [56128]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend meets the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regularly to discuss a wide range of financial and other matters.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Scottish Enterprise to discuss developments in the Scottish manufacturing sector. [56129]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Macdonald of Tradeston have regular meetings with Scottish Enterprise to discuss a range of issues affecting the Scottish economy including developments in the Scottish manufacturing sector.

  Fishing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take measures to assist young people entering the Scottish fishing industry as skipper-owners. [56110]

  Mr. Macdonald
  There is help available for young fishermen wanting to become skippers through training programmes operated by the Sea Fish Industry Authority and by Local Enterprise Companies.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the use of closed circuit television for combating crime in Scotland. [56124]

  Mr. McLeish
  In January 1996, The Scottish Office published an evaluation report into the effectiveness of closed circuit television in combating crime and the fear of crime in Airdrie, where twelve open street CCTV cameras had been operating since 1992. A separate evaluation was subsequently undertaken on the Glasgow

  Percentage

  Employ

  1995

  Real terms

  1996

  Real terms

  1997

  Real terms

  1998 terms

  Real terms

  Doctors and dentists

  2.5 to 3.0

  -0.9to0.4

  3.6 to 5.8

  1.2 to 3.4

  3.4

  0.3

  5.2

  1.6

  Nurses, midwives and professions allied to medicine

  13.0

  -0.4

  13.0

  10.6

  3.3

  0.2

  3.8

  0.2

  NHS non review body

  13.0

  -0.4

  13.0

  0.6

  3.3

  0.2

  3.8

  0.2

  Police

  3.0

  -0.4

  3.5

  1.1

  3.5

  0.4

  4.0

  0.4

  Fire

  3.5

  0.1

  4.4

  2.0

  4.8

  1.7

  22—

  2—

  Local government

  2.2

  -1.2

  2.9

  0.5

  2.5

  -0.6

  3.0

  -0.6

  Scottish teachers

  2.0

  -1.4

  3.0

  0.6

  2.5

  -0.6

  3.0

  -0.6

  1In 1995 and 1996 national NHS pay awards of 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. respectively were supplemented by locally negotiated pay additions

  2Due in November

  Notes

  1. The above public sector pay groups account for around 90 per cent. of Scottish public sector pay

  2. As pay negotiations have been delegated to individual Civil Service Departments and to many NDPBs it is not possible to give a single meaningful figure for this sector

  3. In 1997 the local government settlement was underpinned by a minimum rate of £4 per hour

  4. The real term estimates of increases in pay have been made using the average "headline" RPI rate for the calendar years in question. For 1998 the deflator used is the average for the year to date

  Equality in Employment
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities require suppliers and contractors of services to promote equality in employment and non-discrimination. [56959]

  Mr. McLeish
  Good procurement practice is essential if local government is to obtain real improvements to service cost and quality under Best Value. I recognise the restrictions the Local Government Act 1988 places on local authority tendering. Legislation amending the existing provisions is likely to be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Intestate Succession Rules
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the current rules of intestate succession to allow surviving cohabitants or step-children who are neither the natural children of the deceased nor adopted by them to apply to a court for a discretionary provision out of the estate of the deceased. [57394]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Law Commission, in its 1992 Report on Family Law, recommended that a surviving cohabitant should be able to apply to a court for a discretionary provision out of the deceased's estate, whether or not there is a will. I hope to issue a consultation paper shortly on family law in Scotland, in which I shall be asking for views on this recommendation.

  The Scottish Law Commission has also considered the position of step-children in the law of succession in Scotland, but did not make any recommendation on this in its 1990 Report on Succession. It did recommend that
  482
  city centre CCTV scheme. A final report has been submitted by the researcher and is currently being prepared for publication.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) actual and (b) real increases in pay in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99 of public sector employees in Scotland. [56954]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information is as follows:

  natural and adopted children of the deceased should have a fixed share of the estate. I am, however, seeking views on an alternative suggestion that children should only be able to claim from the estate the amount that the deceased would have owed them as aliment had he or she lived. Under such a system step-children who had been accepted as children of the family could be owed aliment and would have a claim on the estate.

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the health trusts in Scotland to discuss the proposed reorganisation of the NHS trusts in Scotland. [56112]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I chair meetings of Chairmen and General Managers of Health Boards and Chairmen and Chief Executives of Trusts on a quarterly basis. The options for Trust configuration were the subject of widespread consultation by Health Boards and, in making their recommendations, Health Boards took the views expressed into account. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I announced the reduction in the number of NHS Trusts from 46 to 28 on 3 September. We remain committed to ensuring that the new configuration of Trusts will reduce bureaucracy so that the maximum amount of resources are available for direct investment in patient care.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice has been given and what administrative guidelines issued to ensure that an arrested person is aware of the implications of failing to mention
  483
  a material fact concerning the offence of belonging to a proscribed and specified organisation; and if he will place in the Library a copy of such documents. [56319]

  Mr. McLeish
  A letter was sent to Scottish Chief Constables on 15 September outlining the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. The letter advised that a special warning be given to anyone being questioned about membership of a specified organisation, so that they are aware of the implications of failing to mention a fact material to the offence. I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library. A Scottish Office Circular of guidance on the Act will be issued shortly.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individuals have been(a) charged, (b) summarily convicted and (c) convicted on indictment under section 2 or the equivalent section of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 relating to membership of a proscribed organisation in each year since enactment; what percentage of those convicted in each year received a prison sentence; and what percentage of those were sentenced to a term of less than one year. [56318]

  Mr. McLeish
  On the basis of the latest information, no individuals have been proceeded against or convicted in Scottish courts for an offence under Section 2 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, or equivalent sections.

  Cancer Deaths
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of deaths in Scotland were due to cancer in each of the last five years. [56983]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Cancer1deaths in Scotland, 1993–1997

  Year

  Number of deaths from cancer

  As a percentage of all deaths

  1993

  15,458

  24.1

  1994

  15,164

  25.6

  1995

  15,224

  25.2

  1996

  15,171

  25.0

  1997

  14,889

  25.0

  1Underlying cause of death categories included—International Classification of Diseases etc., ninth revision (ICD 9), codes 140–208, malignant neoplasms.

  Council Housing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which tenants' organisations in Scotland he has met to discuss stock transfers of council housing. [56120]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have met the Scottish Tenants' Organisation and some of its affiliated federations of tenants on a number of occasions to discuss general housing issues, including stock transfers.

  Job Losses
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the number of job losses in Scotland over the last two months. [56122]
  484
  Mr. Macdonald
  In recent weeks there have been several significant job loss and job creation announcements. The net balance of these job losses and gains can be judged only some months afterwards, as company plans often change. The latest official figures on a non-seasonally adjusted basis show that, over the year to June-August 1998, ILO unemployment in Scotland fell by 26,000 and that total employment increased by 13,000.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's current estimate of the cost to be borne by Scottish local authorities on spending to cope with the problem of the date 2000 on computers in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 and of the contribution from central Government towards meeting these costs. [56961]

  Mr. McLeish
  There is no central estimate of the total cost to local government. It is for each local authority to form its own estimate of cost and to consider how costs are to be met within the funds available. The priority is to ensure that every authority is in fact tackling the issue. To that end, the Scottish Office is funding a post of Year 2000 project manager in COSLA. In addition, and as a result of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, £10 million has been included in the 1999–2000 local government finance settlement. No provision was made in 1998–99.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Northern Ireland Questions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on future handling of Northern Ireland questions following the permanent establishment of a Northern Ireland Assembly. [56401]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly will reduce the direct responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and consequently the matters for which she is accountable to the House. I have no immediate plans to alter the arrangements for Northern Ireland questions. The Procedure Committee is conducting an inquiry into the procedural consequences of devolution and this is one of the subjects I expect them to address. I will be giving evidence to that Committee soon.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Holding Centres
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how and when she intends to respond to the principal recommendations of the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres in his most recent report. [56402]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following consultation with relevant interested parties, the Secretary of State wrote to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres on 26 August 1998 in response to matters raised in his Fifth Annual Report. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
  485
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been detained in each of the holding centres in each month since September 1997. [56385]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table shows the number of persons detained in each of the Holding Centres since September 1997:

  Year

  Month

  Castlereagh

  Gough

  Strand Road

  1997

  September

  21

  12

  1

  October

  0

  29

  2

  November

  0

  31

  4

  December

  0

  9

  6

  1998

  January

  43

  7

  0

  February

  60

  0

  0

  March

  67

  0

  0

  April

  61

  7

  0

  May

  32

  8

  0

  June

  31

  4

  0

  July

  51

  7

  0

  August

  33

  5

  0

  September

  35

  25

  0

  Total

  434

  144

  13

  Note

  Castlereagh Holding Centre was closed for refurbishment during the period October to December 1997

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 6 November 1997,Official Report, column 293, on what date she

  Persons detailed in holding centres September 1997 to September 1998 (inclusive)—by month and holding center

  Castlereagh

  Gough

  Strand Road

  Month

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  1997

  September

  18

  3

  21

  11

  1

  12

  1

  —

  1

  October

  —

  —

  —

  29

  —

  29

  2

  —

  2

  November

  —

  —

  —

  29

  2

  31

  4

  —

  4

  December

  —

  —

  —

  9

  —

  9

  6

  —

  6

  1998

  January

  40

  3

  43

  7

  —

  7

  —

  —

  —

  February

  57

  3

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  March

  65

  2

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  April

  56

  5

  61

  4

  3

  7

  —

  —

  —

  May

  32

  —

  32

  8

  —

  8

  —

  —

  —

  June

  29

  2

  31

  3

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  July

  44

  7

  51

  6

  1

  7

  —

  —

  —

  August

  31

  2

  33

  5

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  September

  33

  2

  35

  25

  —

  25

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  405

  29

  434

  136

  8

  144

  13

  —

  13

  Flags and Emblems
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance is available for non-departmental public bodies concerning displays of flags and emblems; how many NDPBs displayed the Union Flag at least once in the last 12 months; and if he will list those NDPBs that displayed a union flag on 12 July. [56291]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  NDPBs in Northern Ireland are aware of the guidance contained in the Fair Employment 486
  replied to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres; and on what date her letter was deposited in the Library. [56386]

  Mr. Ingram
  I wrote to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres on 23 February 1998 in response to a number of outstanding matters raised in his Fourth Annual Report which the Secretary of State had been unable to address in her earlier letter to him of 26 September 1997. My letter was inadvertently not placed in the Library of the House at that time. I have now made arrangements for this to be done.

  The Secretary of State's letter of 26 September 1997, together with my letter of 23 February 1998, represents the Government's full response to the Independent Commissioner's Fourth Annual Report.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) male, (b) female, (c) under 18 year old, (d) 18 to 25 year old, (e) over 25 year old, (i) republican, (ii) loyalist and (iii) other suspects have been detained in the holding centres in the 12 months from September 1997 to September 1998. [56384]

  Mr. Ingram
  Set out are the numbers of males and females detained at each of the three holding centres during the period September 1997 to September 1998.

  The RUC does not hold information in the form necessary to answer the question in full. A manual check of the records of each of the centres would be required; this could not be done within the timescale allowed for reply and would incur disproportionate costs.

  Commission's Code of Practice relating to the display of flags and emblems. The Union Flag is flown on Government Buildings on a number of scheduled days during the year and, while NDPBs are made aware of these dates, it is a matter for each body to exercise its own discretion as to whether or not the flag should be flown.

  Information on how many NDPBs displayed the Union Flag at least once in the last twelve months and those which displayed it on 12 July could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  487
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many days and on what occasions in the last year the Union Flag was flown outside the(a) Northern Ireland Electricity regional offices on the Campsie industrial estate and (b) other offices of the NIE. [56290]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on the flying of the Union Flag by private companies is not held by Government. I understand that Northern Ireland Electricity issued a statement on 11 August 1998 setting out the company's policy on the display of flags and emblems.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 27 November 1997,Official Report, column 630, what were the staffing levels of the RUC in September 1998 (i) in total, and (ii) broken down (a) by gender, (b) by perceived religious/community origin and (c) by numbers and percentages of full-time, reserve full-time, and reserve part-time staff. [56387]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table sets out the information requested as at 1 September 1998.

  Rank

  RUC

  FTR

  PTR

  Total

  CBI

  Male

  6,644

  2,343

  782

  9,769

  Female

  846

  217

  407

  1,470

  Total

  7,490

  2,560

  1,189

  11,239

  CB2

  Male

  625

  177

  30

  832

  Female

  82

  27

  33

  142

  Total

  707

  204

  63

  974

  CB3

  Male

  268

  156

  11

  435

  Female

  8

  9

  5

  22

  Total

  276

  165

  16

  457

  Sub total

  Male

  7,537

  2,676

  823

  11,036

  Female

  936

  253

  445

  1,634

  Total

  8,473

  2,929

  1,268

  12,670

  Percentage CB1

  88.40

  87.40

  93.77

  88.71

  Percentage CB2

  8.34

  6.96

  4.97

  7.69

  Percentage female

  11.05

  8.64

  35.09

  12.90

  Note

  CB1—Perceived to be from Protestant community

  CB2—Perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community

  CB3—Other

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) serving and (b) former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary held personal protection firearms on 10 April; how many new weapons have been issued since then; and how many weapons have been handed in. [56293]

  Mr. Ingram
  Figures detailing how many serving and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary held firearms for personal protection are not available for 10 April 1998, and could be obtained only at 488
  disproportionate cost. However, on 26 October 1998, 12,699 handguns (which are available for personal protection) were on official issue to serving members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and 619 were on loan to former members.

  Since 10 April a total of 189 handguns have been issued to serving Royal Ulster Constabulary members and 306 have been returned.

  Prisoners (Accelerated Release)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have applied to the Prison Sentence Review Commission for an accelerated release date; on how many cases the commission has made a determination; and for unsuccessful applications, what reasons were given. [56393]

  Mr. Ingram
  Statutory responsibility for these matters lies with the Sentence Review Commissioners. I have asked the joint Chairmen, Mr. Brian Currin and Sir John Blelloch, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Sir John Blelloch to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 3 November 1998:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for information concerning applications made under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. In her answer the Secretary of State advised that, as statutory responsibility for this matter lay with the Sentence Review Commissioners, I would reply.
  I can advise that, up until 29 October 1998, 512 prisoners have applied to the Sentence Review Commissioners for a declaration that they are eligible for release in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Of these, 221 prisoners have received substantive determinations advising that their applications had been successful. There have been no substantive determinations advising that the applicant had been unsuccessful.
  A copy of this letter will be placed in the library of the House of Commons.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the qualifying prisoners whose release has been accelerated as a result of a determination made by the sentence review commission, in each case indicating the(a) nature of the offence, (b) date of conviction, (c) original sentence, (d) sentencing jurisdiction, (e) original release date after remission or estimated on the basis of average figures in the case of life sentences and (f) accelerated release date. [56390]

  Mr. Ingram
  Statistical information in the format requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of individual prisoners are not given for sensitivity and safety considerations; however, I will arrange for a written reply to be made to my hon. Friend which will detail available statistical information on prisoner releases which have been accelerated as a result of determinations made by the Sentence Review Commissioners.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate, on the basis of those prisoners who have been given accelerated release dates and those who would expect to be released in the next two years, how many prisoners will be released in each month up to August 2000. [56391]
  489
  Mr. Ingrain
  The information requested is not readily available in the detail specified in the question and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, similar information was provided on the basis of quarterly projections in my response to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Ross) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, columns 363–64.

  Military Strategy
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the meetings and describe the other steps taken to prepare the publication of an overall review of military strategy in Northern Ireland. [56380]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have regular and frequent meetings with the Chief Constable, and with officials, to discuss security related issues. Before the end of the month I intend to publish a strategy paper setting out our approach to normalisation.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice has been given, and what administrative guidelines issued, to ensure that an arrested person is aware of the implications of failing to mention a material fact concerning the offence of belonging to a proscribed and specified organisation; and if she will place in the Library a copy of such documents. [56289]

  UDA

  UVF

  LVF

  VFF

  RHC

  PIRA

  INLA

  HMP Maze

  73

  65

  19

  —

  —

  112

  26

  HMP Maghaberry

  37

  24

  11

  6

  4

  16

  14

  HMP Magilligan

  12

  11

  —

  1

  —

  6

  2

  HM YOC

  1

  4

  —

  2

  —

  2

  1

  Totals

  123

  104

  30

  9

  4

  136

  43

  Border Crossing Points
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning the re-opening of border crossing points BCP 92 and BCP 93; and what further plans she has for these roads. [56383]

  Mr. Ingram
  While I am not aware of any representations received concerning the re-opening of border crossing points BCP 92 and BCP 93, consideration is being given to their future.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will report progress on making good(a) Border Crossing Point 171 at Aghalane Bridge, County Fermanagh and (b) other border crossing points not yet restored to full usage after the lifting of closure orders. [56382]

  Mr. Ingram
  Work is progressing satisfactorily at Border Crossing point 171, and the bridge should be ready for use by Spring 1999.

  There are only two other Border Crossing points which remain unopened since the revocation of closure orders: Border Crossing Points 92 and 93 in South Tyrone. I have no immediate plans to re-open the road at Annaghroe or the bridge at Knockaginny Wood.
  490
  Mr. Ingram
  A letter was sent on 11 September 1998 to the Chief Constable of the RUC outlining the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 and suggesting a form of words for an additional special warning be given to anyone being questioned about membership of a specified organisation, in order that they are aware of the implications of failing to mention a fact material to the offence. The letter also emphasises that inferences can be drawn only where the accused has had access to a solicitor before questioning. A copy of the letter is being placed in the Library today. Further advice on the administration of the 1998 Act will be issued in due course.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current prison population of members or associates of each specified proscribed organisation. [56392]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information is held for management purposes in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners where applicable. It should be noted, however, that with the exception of HMP Maze where such links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates. These figures do not include prisoners who are regarded as having only either Loyalist or Republican sympathies.

  The most recent statistics for the week commencing 26 October 1998 are as follows:

  Murray Judgment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to introduce legislation to comply with the Murray judgment at the European Court of Human Rights. [56292]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are actively considering their response to the ECHR judgment in the case of John Murray v the United Kingdom and hope to be able to make an announcement in the near future which will outline how procedures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be affected.

  The Government have already incorporated the ECHR ruling in the provisions contained in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998.

  Vehicle Checkpoints
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the location of permanent vehicle checkpoints in (i) September 1997 and (ii) October 1998, indicating where structures have been dismantled or removed. [56381]

  Mr. Ingram
  The locations of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1997 and October 1998 are as follows:
  491

  As at September 1997

  As at October 1998

  Cloghogue (Newry/Dublin Road)

  PVCP removed—Patrol Base still in use

  Aughnacloy

  To be removed (announced 30 September)

  Bessbrook (3)

  Reduced structures but still in use

  Mahon Road, Portadown (2)

  Removed

  Letterkenny Road, Londonderry

  Inactive and vacated but structure still present

  Muff, Culmore Road, Londonderry

  Inactive and vacated but structure still present

  The Hump, Strabane

  Inactive and vacated but structure still present

  Rosscor Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Wattle Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Mullan Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Gortmullan

  Inactive but structure still present

  Annaghmartin

  Inactive but structure still present

  Killyvilly

  Inactive but structure still present

  Clonalty Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Belfast International Airport

  Inactive and vacated but structure still present

  In September 1997 there were 18 permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland. Only three are still in operation, for the protection of the security force base at Bessbrook, Country Down. Two have been totally removed, one partially (the adjacent patrol base is still occupied). A further 8 structures are still present and manned, although the checkpoint is inactive. Three others have been vacated by the security forces. The remaining one at Aughnacloy will be demolished shortly. The continuing need for permanent vehicle checkpoints is kept under constant review. Any further changes will depend on the assessment of threat at the time.

  Police Authority
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total work force of the

  Table 1(a): All permanent NICS seconded to PANI by community background at 1 January 1998

  Occupational Groups

  Protestant

  %Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  %Roman Catholic

  Not determined

  %not determined

  Total

  1 Managers and administrators

  269

  81.5

  41

  13.0

  6

  1.9

  316

  2 Professional occupations

  6

  50.0

  4

  33.3

  2

  16.7

  12

  3 Associate professional and technical occupations

  38

  86.4

  4

  9.1

  2

  4.5

  44

  4 Clerical and secretarial occupations

  1,459

  84.0

  243

  14.0

  34

  2.0

  1,736

  5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations

  190

  86.8

  14

  6.4

  15

  6.8

  219

  6 Personal and protective service occupations

  57

  74.0

  6

  7.8

  14

  18.2

  77

  8 Plant and machine operatives

  7

  87.5

  0

  0.0

  1

  12.5

  8

  9 Other occupations

  221

  81.9

  17

  6.3

  32

  11.9

  270

  Total

  2,247

  83.8

  329

  12.3

  106

  4.0

  2,682

  Table 1(b): All permanent NICS seconded to PANI by gender at 1 January 1998

  Occupational Groups

  Male

  %Male

  Female

  %Female

  Total

  1 Managers and administrators

  126

  39.9

  190

  60.1

  316

  2 Professional occupations

  8

  66.7

  4

  33.3

  12

  3 Associate professional and technical occupations

  39

  88.6

  5

  11.4

  44

  4 Clerical and secretarial occupations

  241

  13.9

  1,495

  86.1

  1,736

  5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations

  218

  99.5

  1

  0.5

  219

  6 Personal and protective service occupations

  58

  75.3

  19

  24.7

  77

  8 Plant and machine operatives

  8

  100.0

  0

  0.0

  8

  9 Other occupations

  121

  44.8

  149

  55.2

  270

  Total

  819

  30.5

  1,863

  69.5

  2,682

  492
  Northern Ireland Police Authority, including staff seconded from the Civil Service; if she will list the principal occupational sub-divisions or descriptive groups of staff; and what is their composition in respect of (a) gender and (b) perceived religious/community origin. [56388]

  Mr. Ingram
  At 1 January 1998 the total workforce of the Police Authority, including staff seconded from the Civil Service, was 3,402.

  The total workforce has been broken down by Standard Occupational Classification.

  Tables 1 (a) and 2 (a) provide a breakdown by perceived religious origin. Tables 1 (b) and 2 (b) provide a breakdown by gender.
  493

  Table 2(a): All permanent PANI direct recruits by community background at 1 January 1998

  Occupational Groups

  Protestant

  %Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  %Roman Catholic

  Not determined

  %not determined

  Total

  1 Managers and administrators

  11

  78.6

  2

  14.3

  1

  7.1

  14

  2 Professional occupations

  19

  59.4

  7

  21.9

  6

  18.8

  32

  3 Associate professional and technical occupations

  94

  82.5

  12

  10.5

  8

  7.0

  114

  4 Clerical and secretarial occupations

  12

  100.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  12

  5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations

  22

  84.6

  2

  7.7

  2

  7.7

  26

  6 Personal and protective service occupations

  123

  71.9

  40

  23.4

  8

  4.7

  171

  9 Other occupations

  308

  87.7

  20

  5.7

  23

  6.6

  351

  Total

  589

  81.8

  83

  11.5

  48

  6.7

  720

  Table 2(b): All permanent PANI direct recruits by gender at 1 January 1998

  Occupational Groups

  Male

  %Male

  Female

  %Female

  Total

  1 Managers and administrators

  9

  64.3

  5

  35.7

  14

  2 Professional occupations

  25

  78.1

  7

  21.9

  32

  3 Associate professional and technical occupations

  76

  66.7

  38

  33.3

  114

  4 Clerical and secretarial occupations

  7

  58.3

  5

  41.7

  12

  5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations

  23

  88.5

  3

  11.5

  26

  6 Personal and protective service occupations

  93

  54.4

  78

  45.6

  171

  9 Other occupations

  109

  31.1

  242

  68.9

  351

  Total

  342

  47.5

  378

  52.5

  720

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many buildings comprise the police estate; if she will cost and itemise major works projects(a) completed over the last 12 months and (b) already underway, initiated or committed in the next 12 months; how many part-time police stations are currently in operation; and what savings are estimated in the next 12 months as a result of the improved security situation. [56389]

  Mr. Ingram
  In pursuance of section 4 of the Police Act (NI) 1970, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland maintains 167 buildings. Eight of these premises are wholly or partially used for the purposes of the Police Authority.(a) Over the last 12 months two new stations were built at Coagh and Loughgall costing £1,600,000 and £1,690,000 respectively. A further £3,100,000 was spent on 35 other projects, mainly in the areas of fire certification, health and safety and general upgrading of accommodation.
  (b) Twenty-five major projects totalling £4,500,000 are currently underway or are scheduled to be committed within the next 12 months. No new builds are involved and apart from two major health and safety projects (£850,000 for the provision of flat roof edge protection and £560,000 for asbestos related work) the bulk of the money has again been allocated to fire certification work and general improving of accommodation.

  The number of part-time RUC stations currently in operation is 64.

  Information regarding
  "what savings are estimated in the next 12 months as a result of the improved security situation"
  is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Family Policy
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an announcement on family policy. [58336]

  Mr. Straw
  On Wednesday 4 November, at 9am, the Government will publish a consultation document, 'Supporting Families'. Copies of the document will be placed in the Library and will be available from the Vote Office.

  Telecommunications (Interception)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it a requirement for an application for a warrant to be made where(a) MI5 and (b) the Police wish to obtain information from telecommunications operatives in respect of call origins, destination, duration and frequency; [57571]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 299, when he intends to introduce legislation (a) to bring interception on private networks into the statutory framework and (b) to introduce further measures to regulate interception of communication. [57573]

  Mr. Straw
  During the debate on the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill on 2 September 1998,Official Report, column 749, I announced that I had put in hand a comprehensive review of the interception regime, and that a consultation document on this would be published in due course. The consultation document will address private side interception and access to data held by telecommunications operators. Legislation will be introduced at the next opportunity.

  Terrorist Attacks (Chemical Weapons)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans are in place to protect
  495
  the public from terrorist attacks involving chemical weapons, with particular reference to the areas around American bases. [57312]

  Mr. Straw
  A series of classified contingency plans exist for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of chemical weapons. In the interests of national security and the protection of the public these are regularly reviewed, tested and updated in the light of changing circumstances. The same arrangements apply at those sites made available to the United States Visiting Forces as at any other sites in the United Kingdom which might be vulnerable to attack.

  Surveillance Systems
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what controls exist to regulate in respect of computer-controlled surveillance systems capable of identifying faces(a) those persons programmed to be identified and (b) the use made of the information gleaned; [57716]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the civil liberties implications of (a) the use of and (b) the safeguards applicable to the operation of the computer-controlled surveillance system in Newham. [57715]

  Mr. Straw
  The Data Protection Act 1984 regulates the use of automatically processed information relating to individuals. With limited exceptions, holders of such information must register with the Data Protection Registrar and comply with the Act's legally enforceable data protection principles. Among other things, these require personal data to be obtained and processed fairly and lawfully, held only for specified and lawful purposes and not used or disclosed incompatibly with these purposes. I understand that the Data Protection Registrar will be meeting the Metropolitan Police and the London Borough of Newham in the near future to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place to ensure compliance with the principles.

  Any closed circuit television (CCTV) systems recording images of individuals which do not come within the ambit of the 1984 Act are expected to be covered by the Data Protection Act 1998. This gives wider enforcement powers to the Registrar, who will be re-titled Data Protection Commissioner. They include a new power to issue codes of practice as to good practice. Although these would not have direct statutory force, they would amplify how the enforceable data protection principles should be applied to the data use concerned. I understand that the Registrar has begun preparatory work on the preparation of a code of practice for CCTV.

  Security Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that access to personal files held by MI5 is restricted to those with a clear need to see them, and that there are detailed audit trails to identify which officers or sections have had access to that information, and the reasons for that access. [57565]
  496
  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service already has in place procedures to ensure that access to its personal files is restricted to those with a need to see them, and audit arrangements which track and record internal access to any file.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require an independent assessment to be carried out before any decision by MI5 to destroy files is implemented. [57567]

  Mr. Straw
  The case for independent scrutiny of the destruction of Security Service files is under consideration including the circumstances where this might be appropriate and the form such scrutiny might take.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that files held by MI5 that are marked for destruction or might reasonably be thought to be so classified had they been assessed, are not used for vetting purposes. [57566]

  Mr. Straw
  Those Security Service files that have been reviewed and marked for destruction have been withdrawn from the Service's central file index and are not available to desk officers for any purpose. Those old and closed files, which have yet to be reviewed for destruction, remain centrally recorded but the Security Service may neither carry out inquiries into the subject nor add substantive information to the file. The current policy is that the Service will not apply information from its records in response to vetting inquiries merely on account of the subject's membership of organisations once considered to be subversive.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many individuals information is held by MI5 by means of computerised indices. [57564]

  Mr. Straw
  In my statement to the House on 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 251–54, I made public for the first time information concerning the number of files held by the Security Service, including the number of files on which inquiries may be made. I do not propose to disclose further details about the Service's record management systems.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rights he proposes to introduce for individuals upon whom files are held by MI5. [57568]

  Mr. Straw
  In its latest Report, the Intelligence and Security Committee indicated that it intends to consider the question of whether individuals should have rights in connection with any Security Service files held on them. I shall await the Committee's findings before deciding whether to make any changes to the existing arrangements.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow renewal of project licence applications to be subject to independent assessment of non-animal alternatives before deciding whether or not to grant them. [57714]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have undertaken to delete from the notes, for the completion of application forms for licences and certificates, the phrase "Your application will be treated in confidence at all stages". However, section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures)
  497
  Act 1986 remains in force and we will not be able to disclose information that either has been given in confidence or we have reasonable grounds for believing was given in confidence. It remains the duty of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to advise on applications.

  Section 24 of the 1986 Act will be reviewed under our proposals for freedom of information legislation.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the proposal of the Intelligence and Security Committee to give itself an additional investigative capacity. [57570]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 21 of the Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report, which was published on 28 October 1998 (Cm 4089).

  Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to visit(a) Switzerland and (b) the Netherlands to study their illegal drug use reduction policies. [56915]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to visit either Switzerland or the Netherlands to discuss drugs policies. Home Office officials are, however, in regular contact with their counterparts responsible for drug use reduction policies in those countries, through the Council of Europe and, in the case of the Netherlands, the European Union.

  Juries
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the use of juries in criminal trials in the Crown courts. [56141]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have published two consultation papers this year about jury trials. The first paper, on use of juries in serious fraud trials, invited views on the principle of whether the system is likely to operate better and with a greater degree of public confidence if, in a small number of complex fraud trials, a traditional jury were to be replaced by another method of determining the facts. Views were also sought on four possible alternative methods of trial. The consultation paper on determining the mode of trial considered whether defendants should continue to be able to choose to be tried by a jury in cases which magistrates have indicated that they would be content to hear. We are currently considering the responses to both these consultation exercises.

  Police
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the formula to be used to allocate resources to the areas transferring out of the Metropolitan Police to neighbouring police forces and the methodology used in its derivation. [57572]

  Kate Hoey
  The principal police funding formula will continue to be used to determine resource allocations for all forces and will be published in the Police Grant Report. The forces bordering the Metropolitan Police 498
  District (MPD) have indicated that there will be additional costs in 1999–2000 associated with the proposed changes to the MPD boundaries. We are considering their bids for extra funding to help meet these transitional costs. No decisions have yet been taken about the allocation of funding to forces bordering the Metropolitan Police or other forces for 1999–2000 or beyond. We expect to announce provisional funding allocations for 1999–2000 and the formula used in a draft Police Grant Report to be published towards the end of the year.

  Hemp
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on licence fee levels for the growing of hemp. [58254]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The licence fee for hemp cultivation was reviewed in 1997 in consultation with the National Farmers Union and representatives of the industry. The new annual fee has been set at £320; this is being phased in over this year and the next two.

  Stolen Vehicles
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the benefits of using laser-scanners to track stolen vehicles by reading licence plates. [58268]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers are currently considering how the most effective use can be made of automatic number plate recognition technology for law enforcement purposes.

  Belmarsh Prison
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what identity documents are required to be produced by people visiting prisoners at Belmarsh Prison. [57337]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Any of the following documents are accepted as proof of identity for visitors to prisoners at Belmarsh:

  Driving Licence

  Passport

  Utilities Bill

  Rent Book

  Benefit Book

  Immigration Papers

  Medical Card

  Letters on Official Headed Notepaper.

  Domestic visitors to Category A prisoners are subject, in addition, to the Approved Visitors Scheme, which includes mandatory photographic identification which is verified by the local police.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities are available at Belmarsh Prison to allow visits to prisoners by disabled people. [57336]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Wheelchair access is possible to the three areas of Belmarsh prison where visits take place. Male and female disabled toilets are available in the main visits hall. On entry to the prison disabled visitors are searched in a private cubicle.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Register of Electors is made available in electronic form to commercial mailing companies. [58253]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Regulation 55 of the Representation of the People Regulations 1986 gives electoral registration officers a discretionary power to supply electronic data copies of the register to non-electoral users. A fee is charged to cover the costs incurred.

  The sale of the electoral register is being considered by the Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which I chair, following a short consultation exercise in the summer. One of the issues to be explored further will be the availability of copies of the register and the fee charged.

  Firearms (Licence Fees)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the shotgun licence fee. [58266]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have made it clear that they intend to review the fees charged for firearm and shotgun certificates in due course to see if any changes might be made to the current arrangements. Fees have always been set at a level that covers the cost of administration, and the Government have no intention of raising these to punitive levels.

  Following the Dunblane tragedy, and the subsequent legislation, there has been a rise in the amount of work that the police are required to carry out in administering the licensing system. On this basis, it is only proper and realistic for us to look again at fee levels.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been given, and what administrative guidelines issued, to ensure that an arrested person is aware of the implications of failing to mention a material fact concerning the offence of belonging to a proscribed and specified organisation; and if he will place in the Library a copy of such documents. [56316]

  Mr. Straw
  A letter was sent on 11 September to all Chief Officers of Police in England and Wales outlining the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 and advising that where a suspect has been arrested for an offence relating to membership of a proscribed organisation which is also specified, the interviewing officer should give a special warning after the standard caution. I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been(a) charged, (b) summarily convicted and (c) convicted on indictment under section 2 or the equivalent section of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 relating to membership of a proscribed organisation in each year since enactment; what percentage of those convicted in each year received a prison sentence; and what percentage of those were sentenced to a term of less than one year. [56315]
  500
  Mr. Straw
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of people charged.

  We have no record of any prosecutions or convictions in England and Wales for offences under section 2 since the 1989 Act came into force.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are presently detained in each special secure unit, stating(a) the nature of crimes for which the prisoner was convicted, (b) the national origin or citizenship of the prisoner, (c) their special category status, (d) how long the prisoner has been housed in an SSU and (e) how many three-monthly medical examinations have been conducted in that time. [56337]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On 29 October 1998, five prisoners were held in Special Secure Units (SSUs), four at Whitemoor and one at Belmarsh. Only prisoners categorised as Category A-Exceptional Escape Risk are held in SSUs.

  The table gives the information requested including the number of three monthly medical reviews conducted. These reviews are part of the operating standards for SSUs and are provided in addition to the normal health care facilities available to every prisoner. Formal medical reviews were phased in during 1997.

  category A exceptional escape risk prisoners held in special secure units

  Nationality

  Offence

  Time spent in SSU

  Number of three monthly health reviews

  American

  Murder

  3 years 5 months

  5

  British

  Drugs offences

  7 months

  2

  Colombian

  Drugs offences

  1 year 3 months

  4

  Turkish

  Drugs offences

  5 years 4 months

  5

  Turkish

  Drugs offences

  3 months

  1

  Irish Prisoners (European Convention)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to officials responding to Irish prisoners who seek repatriation under the European Convention for Sentenced Prisoners and are concerned that their application may be affected by the sentence review legislation required under the Belfast Agreement. [56338]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Officials deal with repatriation applications in accordance with Government policy.

  Diarmuid O'Neill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order that copies of statements provided by police to the coroner be made available to the relatives of Diarmuid O'Neill at least four weeks prior to the opening of the resumed inquest into his death. [56339]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no powers to direct the release of documents in connection with an inquest, but, wherever possible, we hope that information can be provided to families in advance.
  501
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received the Police Complaints Authority report on the death of Diarmuid O'Neill; what prosecutions or disciplinary actions were recommended in the report; on what date the inquest will be resumed; on what dates the relatives of the deceased were informed of the circumstances of his death; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [56317]

  Mr. Boateng
  The police investigation has been completed and copies of the report have recently been sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Her Majesty's Coroner and the Crown Prosecution Service. PCA investigation reports are not normally sent to the Home Secretary or made public.

  Decisions as to any criminal or disciplinary action to be taken are matters for the Crown Prosecution Service, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the PCA. If the cause of death and the circumstances in which it occurred have not already been established in the course of criminal proceedings, the coroner may resume the inquest once the criminal proceedings are completed to inquire into these questions.

  Schengen Agreement
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if signatories of the Schengen Agreement now recognise the certificate of identity otherwise known as the brown British travel documents; what has been the impact of their policy on(a) those given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom and (b) those unable to obtain a travel document or passport from their own country who have indefinite leave to remain; and what steps his Department has taken on this matter. [57720]

  Kate Hoey
  The Certificate of Identity issued to certain foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom is issued in accordance with international custom, complies with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, and guarantees the holder's return to this country within its validity. However, we are aware that some holders of these documents experience difficulties when applying for visas to travel both within Europe and beyond.

  It is a matter for the competent authorities of each country to decide whether to accept into their territory an individual or the holder of a particular type of document. This is not something over which the issuing authority can exert any influence.

  Hillsborough Disaster
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where(a) transcripts and (b) all additional material arising out of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the evidence relating to the Hillsborough disaster are held; and in what form. [57477]

  Mr. Boateng
  Transcripts of meetings, prepared by Harry Counsel and Co., are held in paper form at the Home Office. Additional material arising out of the scrutiny is also held in paper form at the Home Office. Copies of as much as possible of the evidence considered by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith have been placed in the Library. The scrutiny papers do not form part of the material held by South Yorkshire Police.
  502
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if South Yorkshire Police hold(a) transcripts and (b) the additional material arising out of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the evidence relating to the Hillsborough disaster on computer disk. [57478]

  Mr. Boateng
  South Yorkshire Police do not hold copies of either transcripts or additional material arising out of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the Hillsborough disaster. Hard copies of these documents are held on file at the Home Office.

  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if South Yorkshire Police hold the(a) statements, (b) amended statements and (c) other documentation collected by West Midlands police during the investigation of the Hillsborough disaster on computer disk. [57480]

  Mr. Boateng
  All statements collected by West Midlands Police during the investigation into the Hillsborough disaster, including the amended statements by South Yorkshire Police officers, are held by South Yorkshire Police in their original paper form, and also on the HOLMES computer. Other documents collected by West Midlands Police are also held by South Yorkshire Police in their original form, but were not entered on the HOLMES computer.

  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if statements collected by West Midlands Police in respect of the Hillsborough investigation were entered on the Holmes computer. [57481]

  Mr. Boateng
  I can confirm that statements collected by West Midlands Police in respect of the Hillsborough investigation were entered on the HOLMES computer.

  Police Statements
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what length of time statements entered on the Holmes computer are retained and what arrangements are made for their archival storage when they are removed from the computer system. [57479]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that under rules developed by the Crime Committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers, information, such as witness statements, generated during a police investigation and entered onto Holmes is retained on the computer while the case remains active and then transferred to magnetic tape for archival storage. Information relating to closed cases for which a life sentence has been awarded is retained for the life of the convicted offender. For determinate sentences, the data are retained until all the appeal procedures have been exhausted, until the release of the offender, or for six years, whichever is the longer. Information relating to unsolved investigations or closed cases of national importance is retained indefinitely.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the capacity of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to deal with outstanding appeals. [57401]
  503
  Mr. Boateng
  The Board's programme, which we have approved, aims to clear appeals and other hearings cases at an annual rate of 10,000 so that the remaining work is completed by March 2000. The membership of the Board is currently 49 senior lawyers operating on a part-time basis. They are supported by legal and administrative staff. Given the increased complexity of the remaining cases, Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC, the Board's Chairman, knows that we are open to recommendations as to the complement and composition of the Board and he has put forward two additional appointments for consideration. One additional Scottish member has recently been appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board originating in each year since 1990(a) were completed at first instance, (b) were agreed at first instance, (c) were refused at first instance and (d) subsequently went to appeal. [57397]

  Mr. Boateng
  Comprehensive data are not available by year of receipt of the claim. The table gives data on cases resolved at first instance in 1990–91 to 1997–98.

  Year

  Single member decisions accepted

  Awards made

  Claims refused

  1990–91

  44,179

  32,135

  12,044

  1991–92

  49,009

  35,268

  13,741

  1992–93

  47,462

  32,893

  14,569

  1993–94

  53,680

  33,982

  19,698

  1994–951

  44,528

  27,924

  16,604

  1995–96

  65,990

  42,124

  23,866

  1996–972

  53,824

  32,906

  20,918

  1997–98

  12,012

  8,014

  3,998

  1The first Tariff Scheme was introduced on1 April1994 and withdrawn on 5 April 1995. During that period there were thus no new claims for assessment by the CICB, but all that year's intake reverted to such assessment from April 1995.

  2The Tariff-based Scheme made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 became effective for all claims received on or after 1 April 1996.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board are yet to be resolved for each year since 1990. [57399]

  Mr. Boateng
  The position at 30 September 1998 was:

  Year of receipt of original claim

  Appeal/hearings cases to be resolved

  Pre-1990

  240

  1990

  162

  1991

  365

  1992

  525

  1993

  862

  1994

  2,656

  1995

  6,887

  19961

  3,395

  Total

  215,092

  131 March 1996 was the final date on which a claim under the 1990 scheme was received.

  2The total includes a number of cases resolved in previous years but re-opened on medical grounds.

  504
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the period of time that applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board wait for their cases to be processed. [57403]

  Mr. Boateng
  The 1990 common law based damages scheme administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board was replaced for claims received on or after 1 April 1996 by the Tariff-based scheme, administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The new scheme is designed to be simpler and faster in processing cases. At 1 April 1996, the Board had some 110,000 unresolved claims. By 30 September 1998 that figure had been reduced to 17,490, which reflects good progress in the planned, orderly clearance of the Board's remaining work by March 2000. The 92,510 1990 scheme claims thus resolved, compares with 107,650 resolved under the 1996 scheme in the same period from its standing start on 1 April 1996.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board were successful in each year since 1990. [57398]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table gives the number of cases resolved at an oral hearing and the outcome in awards 1 to 1997–98.

  Year

  Number of cases heard

  Number of full or reduced awards made

  Percentage

  1990–91

  5,852

  3,055

  52.2

  1991–92

  8,909

  3,981

  49.2

  1992–93

  7,896

  3,745

  47.4

  1993–94

  7,340

  4,094

  55.7

  1994–95

  8,905

  4,567

  51.3

  1995–96

  7,350

  3,976

  54.1

  1996–97

  8,338

  4,072

  48.8

  1997–98

  7,410

  3,518

  47.5

  Total

  62,000

  31,008

  50.0

  In addition to the total of 62,000 heard, a further 15,352 appeals cases were resolved without a hearing. Data on the number of these resulting in an award are not available without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been refused by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board on the grounds that the applicant did not co-operate with the Police. [57402]

  Mr. Boateng
  In the period 1990–91 to 1997–98, 155,833 claims were refused by the Board. Of these, 37,945 (24 per cent.) concerned failure by the applicant in reporting to, or otherwise co-operating with, the police.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to see(a) police evidence and (b) other relevant evidence in advance of any appeal hearing. [57400]

  Mr. Boateng
  The arrangements whereby the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board obtains information from the police are governed by an agreement between the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Home Office and the Board. These arrangements, which I have no plans to seek to change, include an undertaking by the Board not
  505
  to disclose police documentary material to applicants, with the exception of witness statements, which are made available to applicants at an appeal hearing and recovered at the end of the proceedings. If other police information is at issue, the applicant is notified and the police officer will be called to give oral evidence which is open to examination and cross-examination by the applicant. All other material is sent to the applicant well in advance of the hearing. The Board members hearing the case have precisely the same documents before them as the applicant. They, too, rely solely on the oral evidence brought out at the hearing in relation to police information.

  Superstores
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires were attended by rescue services in single storey uncompartmentalised warehouse style superstores of(a) over 2,000 square metres and (b) over 4,000 square metres in (i) 1990 to 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998 to date. [57675]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the Probation Service; and if he will make a statement. [57392]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Our proposals for modernising the probation services of England and Wales are set out in the consultation document "Joining Forces to Protect the Public", which was published on 6 August this year. The consultation will conclude on 27 November. Also relevant are our proposals set out in the consultation paper "Support Services in Family Proceedings—Future Organisation of Court Welfare Services", which was published on 30 July. This consultation will conclude on 13 November. Copies of both consultation documents are available in the Library. In both cases, there will be no decisions taken until all the responses have been carefully considered.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was first informed that an international warrant for the arrest of Senator Pinochet had been issued; and who informed him. [57413]

  Mr. Straw
  I was told by my office during the evening of Friday 16 October.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those people who consulted him or his officials about the diplomatic status of Senator Pinochet prior to the senator's arrest. [57427]

  Mr. Straw
  Neither I nor my officials were consulted about Senator Pinochet's diplomatic status.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his officials were informed that 506
  Senator Pinochet had entered the United Kingdom on his current visit. [57396]

  Mr. Straw
  An immigration officer granted Senator Pinochet leave to enter the United Kingdom on 22 September 1998. Officials elsewhere in the Home Office were only alerted to Senator Pinochet's presence on 14 October.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Spanish authorities about the extradition of Senator Pinochet; and when. [57411]

  Mr. Straw
  I received no such representations.

  Surveillance (Complaints)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made about the Security Service through the Security Service tribunal relating to telephone taps, letter intercepts and close surveillance in each of the last five years; and how many of the complaints made in each of those years has been upheld. [57913]

  Mr. Straw
  The available information regarding complaints about the Security Service made to the Security Service Tribunal is published in the Annual Reports of the Security Service Commissioner. The numbers are as follows:

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1993

  36

  1994

  42

  1995

  21

  1996

  34

  1997

  45

  The table details the number of complaints relating to property received by the Security Service Tribunal and referred to the Commissioner in accordance with paragraph 4(1) of Schedule i to the Security Service Act 1989:

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1993

  11

  1994

  19

  1995

  12

  1996

  10

  1997

  14

  The available information regarding complaints to the Interception of Communications Tribunal is published in the Annual Reports of the Interception Commissioner. The numbers are as follows:

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1993

  41

  1994

  37

  1995

  64

  507

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1996

  52

  1997

  79

  No determination in favour of a complainant has been made by either Tribunal.

  Channel Islands
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the result of the review of the financial legislation in Crown dependencies announced on 20 January, with particular reference to the Channel Islands. [57754]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 4.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to estimate future numbers of refugees and asylum seekers; what plans he is making for their reception; and if he will make a statement. [57684]

  Kate Hoey
  It is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy what the future numbers of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom will be. The flow depends on a number of factors, reflecting conflicts, political instability and migratory pressures around the world. We are however looking at recent trends and also looking to make judgments on how the measures announced in the White Paper will affect the number of asylum applications. The results of our analysis will be available shortly.

  The Government's plans to introduce a new support system for asylum seekers are set out in chapter 8 of the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to immigration and asylum" (CM 4018).

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further(a) policy and (b) financial responses are being considered to deal with problems on the South Coast, arising from the influx of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [58207]

  Kate Hoey
  Asylum seekers who register their application when they arrive in this country may be eligible for income support. In-country applicants may be eligible for support under the National Assistance Act 1948 or (in the case of children) under the terms of the Children Act 1989. In the latter case, the obligation to provide support falls on the local authority.

  I am aware of the pressures being faced by a small number of local authorities in coping with the recent influx of asylum seekers. I have, therefore, encouraged the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of London Government (ALG) to develop a
  508
  clearing house arrangement which will enable asylum seekers to be dispersed on a fair and equitable basis around the country. I am aware of the financial disincentives in the current grant arrangements by which local authorities recover part of their costs in providing a support to asylum seekers. Provided the LGA and the ALG can introduce a workable system for the support of asylum seekers, the Government propose to change the grant arrangements for this year to enable local authorities to be paid on the basis of unit costs which are realistic but challenging.

  For the longer term, the Government plan to introduce a new support system for asylum seekers as set out in chapter 8 of the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer— A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum" (Cm 4018).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the nuclear industry to ensure that it is fully millennium-compliant. [57762]

  Mr. Battle
  All UK nuclear operators have initiated major programmes of work to address potential problems associated with the century date change issue. Those aspects of these programmes that address potential safety concerns are being monitored closely by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE is satisfied with the actions being taken. If the HSE were not satisfied it could make use of its extensive powers to require nuclear site licensees to undertake any safety-related actions it considered necessary. Operators anticipate that all essential work will be completed by mid-1999. Systems will be re-tested thoroughly to provide confirmation that remedial action taken to rectify any safety problems that are identified has been effective. Contingency plans will also be in place for the critical dates as a precaution against unforeseen threats to safety.

  Marine Sector
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the contribution to the United Kingdom economy of the marine sector in terms of(a) its share of national value added and (b) employment. [57088]

  Mr. Battle
  There is no standard definition of the marine sector. Furthermore, some of the industries which might reasonably be included, such as marine equipment, are not available from official statistics, usually because they are not separately identified within the Standard Industrial Classification. However, the following information is available
  509

  Standard Industrial Classification 1992

  Description

  Percentage of GDP 1996

  Percentage of employee Jobs11996

  35.1

  Building and repairing of ships and boats

  0.2

  0.2

  61

  Sea and inland water transport

  0.3

  0.1

  1Excludes self employment

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics: input/output tables, Annual Employment Survey

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings he had to discuss the aerospace industry during his recent visit to the United States. [56477]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry takes a close interest in the aerospace industry. His recent visit to the United States however focused on computing, information technology and new media, emerging technologies, and biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. He also discussed inward investment issues. Aerospace issues were not discussed on this occasion.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the strategic and industrial implications of a merger between British Aerospace and DASA of Germany; and if he will make a statement. [56474]

  Mr. Battle
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear since his statement with the German and French Heads of Government on 9 December last year, there is an urgent need to restructure the aerospace and defence industries in Europe.

  It would be for companies themselves to come forward with any specific merger proposals, which would be subject to consideration by the appropriate competition authorities in the usual way.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the scale of US Government support for the research and technology efforts of US aerospace companies; if he will take measures to match this proportionately; and if he will make a statement. [56467]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: The most recent information available from NASA indicated that its office of aeronautics had a budget of over $940 million for civil aeronautical research and technology. In addition, other US Government bodies provide significant support to the research and technology efforts of US aerospace companies. My Department examines these figures and, with our European partners, has regular discussions with the US Government about levels of such support.

  No decisions have yet been made about detailed DTI budget allocations in future years.

  Miners (Compensation)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to ensure that trade unions are fully consulted in 510
  compensation negotiations for Scottish miners for (a) occupational respiratory diseases and (b) vibration white finger. [57577]

  Mr. Battle
  We have been keen at every stage to consult with all appropriate bodies and their agents, including the relevant trade unions, in negotiations relating to claims for compensation by miners throughout the United Kingdom, including Scotland, in respect of occupational respiratory diseases and vibration white finger. The solicitors acting on behalf of the National Union of Mineworkers (Scotland Area) have had regular communications from our claims handling agents, IRISC. This is in addition to the information which we understand those solicitors have received from plaintiffs organisations and Steering Groups in England and Wales who are meeting direct with my officials and IRISC on a regular basis.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to(a) supervise, (b) monitor and (c) facilitate negotiations relating to compensation for Scottish miners for (i) occupational respiratory disease and (ii) vibration white finger. [57576]

  Mr. Battle
  We have, following the recent test case litigation, in England and Wales, in relation to both occupational respiratory disease and vibration white finger, been closely and continuously involved with our claims handling agents, IRISC, in respect of a broad range of complex medical and legal issues arising out of the respective judgments, in relation to claims submitted on behalf of not just English and Welsh claimants but also Scottish claimants. We have instructed our Scottish solicitors to represent our interests in relation to Scottish claims. They and IRISC have been instructed to keep the National Union of Mineworkers (Scotland Area) fully informed of the progress of the negotiations in England and Wales. The intention is to secure as quickly as possible efficient handling arrangements for the prompt, consistent and fair resolution of claims submitted on behalf of all miners in Scotland, England and Wales.

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the car industry in the West Midlands. [57131]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: According to the 1996 Census of Production, some 80,000 people in the West Midlands are directly employed in the automotive industry. This figure includes those directly employed by vehicle manufactures and those in the supply chains.
  511
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for the motor industry(a) nationally and (b) in the West Midlands. [57132]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: Overall prospects for the industry remain buoyant. New car sales in 1998 are expected to total 2.2 million, the highest figure this decade. New investments announced so far this year total £1,550 million with 4,000 new jobs created in the last 6 months alone.

  The recent launch of the new S-type Jaguar involves a £400 million investment in the West Midlands with 1,300 new jobs. Two other new models also launched at the Motor Show last week, and manufactured in the West Midlands, are Peugeot's new 206 model and the R75 from Rover. These new models will be key to the future of the motor industry in the region; all have been well-received.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new measures he proposes to assist the motor car industry(a) nationally and (b) in the West Midlands. [57133]

  Mr. Battle
  With £1.55 billion of new investment and over 4,000 new jobs created so far this year, the car industry in the UK remains strong. It is not this Government's intention to single out any specific sector for special measures. Instead we are putting in place policies to build a stable economy capable of sustaining steady growth with particular emphasis on raising productivity and controlling inflation. This will benefit all sectors.

  However, maintaining and enhancing productivity are a constant challenge for the industry. Companies have been working to put in place competitive practices and to deliver models which customers want to buy. Rover in particular is looking at these issues again in an effort which involves close and ongoing discussions between the management and workforce in the West Midlands. We will maintain a close interest in their progress.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans his Department has to change the current bidding system for gaining a non fossil fuel obligation contract; and if he will make a statement; [57977]

  (2) if his Department will introduce measures to allow the payment of green electricity subsidy payments to small wind power producers outside the non fossil fuel obligation scheme; and if he will make a statement; [57978]

  Mr. Battle
  This Government propose to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources in line with their manifesto commitment. To this end, I have commissioned a review of policy including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments.
  512
  That review is considering both support mechanisms for renewable energy, such as NFFO—and including the current bidding system—and the development of the green electricity market in the UK as well as the links between Government support and market development.

  My Department has also recently issued a public consultation paper on the future of gas and electricity regulation, entitled "A Fair Deal for Consumers— Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation", which is considering a number of wider issues affecting the electricity industry, including proposals on the separate licensing of supply and distribution. My Department will be consulting on how the NFFO might be adapted to such new circumstances.

  A number of companies operating in the green electricity market now developing outside the NFFO arrangements already offer a green premium to small renewable power producers generating from a number of renewable energy sources.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what measures his Department has taken since 1 May 1997 to encourage the generation of power using(a) onshore and (b) offshore wind turbines; and if he will make a statement; [57975]

  (2) what plans his Department has to provide financial assistance to individuals and communities for the erecting and running of wind turbines; and if he will make a statement. [57976]

  Mr. Battle
  As a first step in the Government's new and strong drive for renewables, I announced the fifth and largest Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO-5) Order on 24 September 1998 of 1177 MW. This includes 36 projects, comprising 28 MW of contracted capacity from the special band for small wind turbines which is of particular interest to individuals or communities.

  My current review of renewable energy is considering the contribution each renewable energy source could make, including onshore and offshore wind energy, the barriers to deployment and the measures which may be necessary to overcome them, and the need for research, development, demonstration and dissemination. I expect to make an announcement about the Review later this year.

  In the meantime, my Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme continues to support a wide range of research projects related to wind energy and geared mainly towards onshore deployment, stimulated by successive Orders under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation. The Programme has also funded a series of studies related to community involvement in and development of renewable energy schemes and has produced a useful guide entitled "Community involvement in renewable energy projects—A guide for community groups". My Department has also worked with Triodos Bank towards the successful launch of the Wind Fund.

  Also in September this year, I took a major step towards generating electricity from offshore wind by launching a consultation document on arrangements for incorporating the development of offshore wind energy into the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Order (NFFO) process. Current work on offshore wind, includes monitoring the development of the first offshore wind

  513
  NFFO project, at Blythe, and assessing the commercial opportunities for UK manufacturing industry within the offshore wind arena.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of irradiated spent magnox fuel imported from Italy are currently in store at Sellafield; and what safeguards are applied to this spent fuel. [57097]

  Mr. Battle
  Individual quantities of spent fuel stored or reprocessed at Sellafield for specific customers are a commercial matter for BNFL and their customers. All civil nuclear material in the United Kingdom is subject to Euratom and IAEA safeguards.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on policy in the United Kingdom of the decision by the German Government on 20 October to change their policy in respect of support for nuclear fuel reprocessing. [57091]

  Mr. Battle
  The new German Government have so far given only the outline of their policy on nuclear issues, including reprocessing of spent fuel. The details, including the implications for British Nuclear Fuels' reprocessing contracts with the German power utilities, remain to be clarified.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements have been made with the Italian authorities for the return of reprocessing wastes from Sellafield. [57094]
  514
  Mr. Battle
  Since 1976 all new contracts for reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for return of wastes. The Government intend that such options should be exercised and that wastes arising from reprocessing be returned to the country of origin. It has been the practice of successive Governments to obtain, before a contract for the reprocessing of foreign spent fuel is signed, assurances from the relevant government that it will take no legislative or regulatory steps to prevent the return of wastes arising under the contract. The adequacy of the facilities for managing those wastes is a matter for their owners and the regulatory authorities of the country concerned in accordance with the relevant legislation of that country.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of(a) low level, (b) intermediate level and (c) high level radioactive waste arising from the reprocessing of irradiated spent magnox fuel from Italy are currently stored at Sellafield; and if these wastes are covered by return-to-sender contractual obligations in the reprocessing contracts with Italy. [57096]

  Mr. Battle
  Each tonne of spent nuclear fuel reprocessed gives rise to approximately four cubic metres of low level waste containing 0.001 per cent. of the radioactivity, one cubic metre of intermediate level waste containing 1 per cent. of the radioactivity, and one tenth of one cubic metre of high level waste containing 1 per cent. of the radioactivity, and one tenth of one cubic metre of high level waste containing 99 per cent. of the radioactivity. Individual quantities of spent fuel stored or reprocessed at Sellafield for specific customers are a commercial matter for BNFL and its customers. Since 1976 all new contracts for reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for return of wastes. The Government intend that such options should be exercised and that wastes arising from reprocessing be returned to the country of origin.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Fair Funding
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the total numbers of responses to the consultation on "Fair Funding: improving delegation to schools"; and how many were(a) in favour of and (b) opposed to the proposals. [57081]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  2,967 responses were received. Most of them contained a range of views on the different measures, although broadly speaking secondary schools favoured more delegation whilst primary schools preferred to keep LEA services. GM schools favoured the increased delegation while LEAs expressed concern. I am sending my hon. Friend a summary analysis of the responses and placing copies in the Library.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the names of those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May 1997, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed, and whether they receive remuneration. [56744]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information requested is given in the table. My hon. Friend will wish to note that this information will be in the Department's Annual Report when it is published next year, and is also accessible through the Public Appointment Unit's Internet Website.

  Name

  Position

  Remuneration

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching

  Derek Winslow1

  Governor

  None

  Andrew Yeomans

  Governor

  None

  Richard Bunker

  Governor

  None

  Jeremy Arliss

  Governor

  None

  Anthony Lunch

  Governor

  None

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Michael Fitchett

  Board member

  None

  Herbert Baggaley

  Board member

  None

  Stewart Tilley

  Board member

  None

  Oliver Robbins

  Board member

  None

  David Barrass

  Board member

  None

  George Brumwell1

  Board member

  None

  Malcolm Harris

  Board member

  None

  George Henderson1

  Board member

  None

  John Milne

  Board member

  None

  Brian Lee

  Board member

  None

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  Norman Dunlop1

  Chairman

  None

  Mike Hockey

  Board member

  None

  Derek Mowforth

  Board member

  None

  Hugh Rees

  Board member

  None

  Barbara Rider

  Board member

  None

  Peter Miller

  Board member

  None

  Rae Angus1

  Board member

  None

  Steven Probert1

  Board member

  None

  Ian Bell1

  Board member

  None

  Ken Turnbull1

  Board member

  None

  David Odling1

  Board member

  None

  John Lee1

  Board member

  None

  David Hewitt1

  Board member

  None

  Ron McCaffer1

  Board member

  None

  516

  Name

  Position

  Remuneration

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Ms Anne Gibson1

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Richard Grayson1

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Joan Stringer1

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Mary Berg1

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Peter Smith1

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Teresa Rees?

  Commissioner

  £123 per day

  Funding Agency for Schools

  Sir Anthony Tippet

  Chairman

  £30,000 per annum

  Robert Lloyd

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Professor David Johns

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Miss Louise Anne Kidd

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Roy Jobson

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  The Rev. Dr. Alan Billings

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Robin Wendt

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  David Mallen

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Linda Wedgbury1

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Stella Earnshaw

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  John Chastney

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  George Phipson

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Rodney East1

  Board member

  £155 per meeting

  Further Education Funding Council

  Lord Davies of Oldham

  Chairman

  £37,000 per annum

  Imtiaz Farookhi

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  John Merry

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Lord Newton of Braintree

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  George Sweeney

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Christina Cassidy

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  David Eade1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  FEFC—Yorkshire and Humberside Region

  David Wille

  Board member

  None

  Yvonne Rose

  Board member

  None

  Professor Robert Fryer

  Board member

  None

  Deanne Drake

  Board member

  None

  Robert Fryer

  Board member

  None

  David Gilchrist

  Board member

  None

  Yvonne Roase

  Board member

  None

  Robert Sowman

  Board member

  None

  David Wilce

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—East Midlands Region

  Jim Shearer

  Chair

  None

  Jane Daw

  Board member

  None

  Iain MacDonald

  Board member

  None

  Sian MacDonald

  Board member

  None

  Norman Riches

  Board member

  None

  Michael Scott

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—Eastern Region

  Lord Newton of Braintree

  Chair

  None

  David Ellerby

  Board member

  None

  Kim Parish

  Board member

  None

  Jim Thakoordin

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—Northern Region

  David Midgeley

  Chair

  None

  Geoffrey Crispin

  Board member

  None

  Keith Mitchell

  Board member

  None

  Ian Todd

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—North West Region

  James Lusty

  Board member

  None

  Anne Weinstock1

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—Greater London Region

  Stephen Grix

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—South East Region

  David Main

  Board member

  None

  Fred McCrindle

  Board member

  None

  Kenneth Saxby

  Board member

  None

  517

  Name

  Position

  Remuneration

  Karen Evans

  Board member

  None

  FEFC—South West Region

  David Fryer1

  Chair

  None

  John Bull

  Board member

  None

  Richard Ely

  Board member

  None

  Leighton Greenham

  Board member

  None

  Mike Kelsey

  Board member

  None

  Fiona McMillan

  Board member

  None

  Geoffrey Rees

  Board member

  None

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  Dorma Urwin

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Professor Ron Cooke

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Dr. Keith Taylor

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Mrs. Joan Bingley1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Caroline Neville

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Professor Sir Gareth Roberts

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Dr. David Potter, CBE

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Professor Marilyn Butler

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Dr. John Strickson1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Miss Janet Trotter1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Professor Sir Colin Campbell1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Dr. Robert Telfer1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Professor Kay-Tee Khaw1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Mrs. Joan Bingley1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Sir Michael Checkland

  Chairman

  £37,822 per annum

  Barbara Stephens1

  Board member

  £4,000 per annum

  Investors In People UK

  Dr. Louise Wallace

  Board member

  None

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

  Sir William Stubbs

  Chairman

  £47,000 per annum

  Sir Dominic Cadbury

  Deputy Chairman

  None

  Professor Robin Alexander

  Board member

  None

  Geoffrey Ashton

  Board member

  None

  Mrs. Anne Duke

  Board member

  None

  Dr. Philip Evans

  Board member

  None

  Dr. Philip Hunter

  Board member

  None

  Mrs. Patricia Lee

  Board member

  None

  Ian McAllister

  Board member

  None

  Mrs. Patricia Morgan-Webb

  Board member

  None

  Sir George Quigley

  Board member

  None

  Heather Rabbatts

  Board member

  None

  Professor Ted Wragg

  Board member

  None

  Remploy

  Mrs. Sarah Brown

  Non-Exec Director

  None

  Peter Cooke

  Non-Exec Director

  None

  David Winterbottom1

  Non-Exec Director

  None

  National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities

  Alan Smith1

  Chairman

  None

  Paul Newman1

  council member

  None

  Guinette Davies1

  council member

  None

  Rita Donaghy1

  council member

  None

  Richard Exell1

  council member

  None

  Professor Ian Bruce1

  council member

  None

  Stephen Duckworth, OBE1

  council member

  None

  Dr. Ann Fingret1

  council member

  None

  Sir Peter Large, CBE1

  council member

  None

  Bert Massie, MBE1

  council member

  None

  Timothy Pape, OBE1

  council member

  None

  Susan Scott-Parker1

  council member

  None

  Richard Sermon1

  council member

  None

  Ian Sneddon1

  council member

  None

  John Spencer1

  council member

  None

  Dianah Worman1

  council member

  None

  National Disability Council

  Alan Smith

  council member

  £119 per day

  D. Alker1

  council member

  £119 per day

  518

  Name

  Position

  Remuneration

  C. Low1

  council member

  £119 per day

  D. Mills1

  council member

  £119 per day

  H. McConnell1

  council member

  £119 per day

  M. Wallace

  council member

  £119 per day

  P. Highes

  council member

  £119 per day

  S. Scott-Parker

  council member

  £119 per day

  G. Morbey

  council member

  £119 per day

  P. Friend

  council member

  £119 per day

  J. Downer

  council member

  £119 per day

  Teacher Training Agency

  Professor Clive Booth

  Chairman

  £15,759 per annum

  Dr. Peter Knight, OBE1

  Board member

  None

  Miss J. Trotter1

  Board member

  None

  Lady Marie Stubbs

  Board member

  None

  John Steele

  Board member

  None

  Professor John Gray

  Board member

  None

  Waheed Alli

  Board member

  None

  Paul Ennals

  Board member

  None

  Keith Anderson

  Board member

  None

  Mrs. Patricia Pritchard

  Board member

  None

  Advisory Committee for Disabled People in Employment and Training

  Kenneth Stevens

  Board member

  None

  Diana Holland

  Board member

  None

  David Bradford

  Board member

  None

  Roger Little

  Board member

  None

  Timothy Pape, OBE

  Board member

  None

  Susan Scott-Parker

  Board member

  None

  Sue Maynard-Campbell

  Board member

  None

  Ian Sneddon

  Board member

  None

  Sharon Collins

  Board member

  None

  John Cornwall

  Board member

  None

  Rosemary Hallam

  Board member

  None

  Raymond Fletcher

  Board member

  None

  1These are reappointments

  Ofsted Inspections
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many(a) secondary, (b) junior and (c) infant schools under local education authority control in England and Wales were contracted out for inspection on behalf of Ofsted in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998 to date; [57489]

  (2) how many contractors are nominated by Ofsted to carry out inspections in schools in England and Wales; [57490]

  (3) how many (a) secondary, (b) junior and (c) infant schools under local education authority control in England and Wales were inspected by Ofsted in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998 to date. [57491]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  School Standards (Consultation Papers)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the consultation papers which have been circulated to(a) schools and (b) local education authorities arising from the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, indicating in each case the consultation period provided. [57706]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table sets out the information requested.
  519

  Consultations arising from the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

  Consultation

  Weeksgiven for reply

  Sent to LEA

  Sent to schools

  1998

  February

  LEA Education Development Plans: Draft Guidance

  10

  Y

  Y

  March

  LEA-School Relations: Draft Code of Practice

  10

  Y

  Y(GM schools)

  Early Education and Day Care: Draft Regulations

  10

  Y

  Y

  April

  Parent Governor Representatives on Education Committees: A Consultation Paper

  14

  Y

  N

  Reducing Infant Class Sizes: Draft Guidance and Outline Regulations

  7

  Y

  N

  May

  Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools: Consultation Paper

  9

  Y

  1Y

  The Education (Allocation of Grant-Maintained and Grant-Maintained Special Schools to New Categories): Draft Regulations

  8

  Y

  N

  June

  School Admissions: Draft Interim Guidance

  5

  Y

  Y

  Education (Grammar School Designation) Draft Order, together with the Education (Grammar School Ballots) Draft Regulations

  8

  Y

  Y (grammar schools)

  The Religious Character of Schools (Designation Procedure) Draft Regulations and the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character Draft Order

  10

  Y

  Y (50 schools)

  July

  Home School Agreements: Draft Guidance

  10

  Y

  Y(500 schools)

  Target Setting for Reducing Exclusions and Unauthorised Absence: Consultation Paper

  10

  Y

  Y(secondary schools)

  Education (National Curriculum)(Exceptions at Key Stage 4): Draft Regulations

  5

  Y

  Y (500 secondary schools)

  Locally Agreed Syllabuses for Religious Education: Draft Order

  15

  Y

  N

  August

  The Education (School Government)(Transition to New Framework) Draft Regulations

  7

  Y

  N

  The Foundation Body Draft Regulations

  9

  Y

  N

  October

  Ingredients for Success: a Consultation Paper on Nutritional Standards for School Lunches

  12

  Y

  Y (200 secondary schools)

  The Protection of School Playing Fields and the Education (School Premises) Draft Regulations

  9

  Y

  N

  Standards for School Premises and the protection of School Playing Fields: Draft Guidance and Draft Regulations

  8

  Y

  N

  Local Schools Budget and Individual Schools Budget: Draft Regulations under Section 46 of the School Standards and Framework Act

  4

  Y

  N

  Determination of Budget Shares: Draft Regulations under Section 47 of the School Standards and Framework Act

  4

  Y

  N

  Schemes for Financing Schools: Draft Regulations and Outline Scheme under Section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act

  4

  Y

  N

  The Education (Amount to Follow Permanently Excluded Pupil) Regulations 1999

  4

  Y

  N

  Admissions: Draft Code of Practice

  6

  Y

  Y (VA, GM schools)

  1The paper "Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools" was circulated to schools on 15 June.

  Study or Training Leave
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost to his Department of granting a right to time off for study or training for 16 and 17 year olds. [57678]

  Mr. Mudie
  Full details of the estimated costs to the Government of introducing a right to time off for study or training for certain 16 and 17-year-old employees were 520
  included in the Regulatory Appraisal which was published alongside the Teaching and Higher Education Bill in November 1997. A copy of the Regulatory Appraisal was placed in the Library.

  Student Guidance
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve guidance to students for transition at 18 plus. [56208]
  521
  Mr. Mudie
  Careers services are required, in partnership with schools and colleges, to provide students at 18 with access to the information, advice and guidance to enable them to make informed decisions to progress into further learning or employment. We are asking careers services to focus particular attention on those young people who are most in need of help.

  School Funding
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the difference is between the local authority with(a) the highest and (b) the lowest standard spending assessment for (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools. [57670]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table sets out the education standard spending assessment per primary pupil and per secondary pupil for all local education authorities in England for 1998–99. The difference between the local authority with the highest and the lowest standard spending assessment is £1,880 per primary pupil and £2,432 per secondary pupil.

  Education SSA per pupil 1998–99

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondary per pupil

  Isles of Scilly

  3,884

  5,051

  Tower Hamlets

  3,377

  4,434

  Hackney

  3,327

  4,558

  Lambeth

  3,307

  4,661

  Southwark

  3,197

  4,191

  Islington

  3,168

  4,218

  Camden

  3,131

  3,947

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3,128

  4,081

  Lewisham

  3,111

  4,088

  City of London

  3,094

  9,236

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,047

  3,946

  Westminster

  2,987

  3,741

  Greenwich

  2,967

  3,854

  Newham

  2,917

  3,809

  Wandsworth

  2,900

  3,797

  Haringey

  2,892

  3,849

  Brent

  2,804

  3,710

  Waltham Forest

  2,703

  3,530

  Ealing

  2,622

  3,503

  Slough

  2,613

  3,485

  Hounslow

  2,570

  3,301

  Barking and Dagenham

  2,561

  3,377

  Enfield

  2,528

  3,260

  Manchester

  2,510

  3,321

  Croydon

  2,496

  3,288

  Knowsley

  2,489

  3,336

  Redbridge

  2,456

  3,181

  Merton

  2,451

  3,186

  Liverpool

  2,436

  3,165

  Barnet

  2,429

  3,112

  Hillingdon

  2,399

  3,115

  Harrow

  2,388

  3,148

  Nottingham City

  2,382

  3,135

  Luton

  2,380

  3,111

  Thurrock

  2,373

  3,096

  Birmingham

  2,370

  3,113

  Sutton

  2,345

  2,995

  Leicester

  2,332

  3,035

  Bexley

  2,331

  3,031

  Middlesbrough

  2,318

  3,066

  Southampton

  2,310

  3,036

  Blackburn

  2,304

  2,995

  Brighton and Hove

  2,303

  3,001

  Bromley

  2,298

  2,965

  522

  Education SSA per pupil 1998–99

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondary per pupil

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,296

  2,998

  Portsmouth

  2,295

  2,988

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,293

  2,954

  Havering

  2,293

  2,993

  Isle of Wight Council

  2,288

  2,981

  City of Kingston-upon-Hull

  2,279

  2,968

  Reading

  2,279

  3,037

  Bradford

  2,272

  2,985

  Wolverhampton

  2,270

  2,987

  Southend

  2,264

  2,955

  Sandwell

  2,261

  2,954

  Salford

  2,259

  2,970

  Hertfordshire

  2,257

  2,927

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,253

  2,878

  Milton Keynes

  2,252

  2,956

  Coventry

  2,243

  2,922

  Rochdale

  2,235

  2,934

  Halton

  2,235

  2,946

  South Tyneside

  2,232

  2,900

  Doncaster

  2,232

  2,918

  Bracknell Forest

  2,231

  2,909

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  2,228

  2,859

  Essex

  2,228

  2,907

  Surrey

  2,228

  2,897

  Kent

  2,227

  2,902

  East Sussex

  2,226

  2,910

  Peterborough

  2,222

  2,886

  Oldham

  2,218

  2,868

  Wirral

  2,218

  2,905

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2,218

  2,866

  Hartlepool

  2,208

  2,875

  City of Bristol

  2,207

  2,911

  Medway Towns

  2,205

  2,876

  Sunderland

  2,203

  2,871

  Derby

  2,197

  2,865

  Gateshead

  2,188

  2,854

  North East Lincolnshire

  2,187

  2,849

  Kirklees

  2,185

  2,848

  Sheffield

  2,184

  2,854

  Buckinghamshire

  2,180

  2,851

  Bedfordshire

  2,179

  2,835

  Oxfordshire

  2,178

  2,815

  Walsall

  2,176

  2,819

  Stockton-on-Tees

  2,174

  2,837

  Blackpool

  2,168

  2,872

  The Wrekin

  2,166

  2,820

  Torbay

  2,163

  2,811

  Cornwall

  2,162

  2,820

  Calderdale

  2,161

  2,820

  Durham

  2,159

  2,824

  West Sussex

  2,159

  2,810

  Bolton

  2,159

  2,802

  St. Helens

  2,158

  2,824

  Leeds

  2,156

  2,806

  Stoke on Trent

  2,155

  2,818

  North Lincolnshire

  2,155

  2,806

  Barnsley

  2,154

  2,823

  Norfolk

  2,153

  2,802

  Sefton

  2,153

  2,789

  Rotherham

  2,152

  2,779

  Lincolnshire

  2,149

  2,802

  Herefordshire

  2,149

  2,818

  Plymouth

  2,149

  2,773

  Bournemouth

  2,148

  2,774

  Darlington

  2,145

  2,810

  Lancashire

  2,138

  2,783

  Devon

  2,137

  2,794

  Tameside

  2,135

  2,768

  Cumbria

  2,133

  2,774

  North Tyneside

  2,125

  2,793

  523

  Education SSA per pupil 1998–99

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondaryper pupil

  Hampshire

  2,124

  2,776

  Northumberland

  2,120

  2,765

  Newbury

  2,118

  2,733

  North Yorkshire

  2,117

  2,732

  Somerset

  2,105

  2,747

  Cambridgeshire

  2,104

  2,734

  Northamptonshire

  2,104

  2,739

  Trafford

  2,103

  2,726

  Suffolk

  2,100

  2,724

  Shropshire

  2,100

  2,727

  Wakefield

  2,097

  2,728

  Wiltshire

  2,092

  2,731

  Swindon

  2,082

  2,720

  Bury

  2,081

  2,686

  Gloucestershire

  2,081

  2,703

  Nottinghamshire

  2,077

  2,709

  Wigan

  2,076

  2,689

  Dorset

  2,073

  2,691

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  2,071

  2,688

  Rutland

  2,065

  2,594

  Warwickshire

  2,063

  2,685

  Dudley

  2,059

  2,673

  Cheshire

  2,058

  2,663

  Derbyshire

  2,057

  2,682

  York

  2,056

  2,700

  North Somerset

  2,054

  2,681

  Solihull

  2,053

  2,648

  Worcestershire

  2,051

  2,664

  Poole

  2,044

  2,655

  Stockport

  2,042

  2,665

  Bath and North East Somerset

  2,041

  2,606

  Staffordshire

  2,037

  2,653

  Warrington

  2,036

  2,659

  Wokingham

  2,028

  2,657

  Leicestershire

  2,006

  2,620

  South Gloucestershire

  2,004

  2,619

  England

  2,248

  2,918

  Mr.Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment What are the current levels of funding per pupil in each local education authority. [55592]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table shows the current levels of funding per primary and secondary pupil through the education standard spending assessment system for each English local education authority The education SSAs have increased across England between 1997–98 and 1998–99 by £119 per primary pupil and by £135per secondary pupil.

  1998–99 SSA per pupil

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondary per pupil

  Increase 5 to 10

  Increase 11 to 15

  Isles of Scilly

  3,884

  5,051

  307

  349

  Tower Hamlets

  3,377

  4,434

  160

  172

  Hackney

  3,327

  4,558

  148

  226

  Lambeth

  3,307

  4,661

  201

  257

  Southwark

  3,197

  4,191

  167

  161

  Islington

  3,168

  4,218

  169

  192

  Camden

  3,131

  3,947

  156

  206

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3,128

  4,081

  172

  254

  Lewisham

  3,111

  4,088

  175

  199

  City of London

  3,094

  9,236

  76

  1,989

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,047

  3,946

  336

  315

  Westminster

  2,987

  3,741

  197

  162

  524

  1998–99 SSA per pupil

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondaryper pupil

  Increase 5 to 10

  Increase 11 to 15

  Greenwich

  2,967

  3,854

  157

  174

  Newham

  2,917

  3,809

  165

  190

  Wandsworth

  2,900

  3,797

  121

  127

  Haringey

  2,892

  3,849

  130

  127

  Brent

  2,804

  3,710

  156

  131

  Waltham Forest

  2,703

  3,530

  140

  130

  Ealing

  2,622

  3,503

  143

  172

  Slough

  2,613

  3,485

  165

  207

  Hounslow

  2,570

  3,301

  130

  146

  Barking and Dagenham

  2,561

  3,377

  133

  162

  Enfield

  2,528

  3,260

  130

  128

  Manchester

  2,510

  3,321

  150

  183

  Croydon

  2,496

  3,288

  135

  163

  Knowsley

  2,489

  3,336

  108

  158

  Redbridge

  2,456

  3,181

  133

  144

  Merton

  2,451

  3,186

  137

  156

  Liverpool

  2,436

  3,165

  141

  142

  Barnet

  2,429

  3,112

  128

  135

  Hillingdon

  2,399

  3,115

  137

  146

  Harrow

  2,388

  3,148

  121

  148

  Nottingham City

  2,382

  3,135

  119

  138

  Luton

  2,380

  3,111

  136

  152

  Thurrock

  2,373

  3,096

  133

  157

  Birmingham

  2,370

  3,113

  130

  152

  Sutton

  2,345

  2,995

  126

  129

  Leicester

  2,332

  3,035

  124

  136

  Bexley

  2,331

  3,031

  125

  143

  Middlesbrough

  2,318

  3,066

  118

  130

  Southampton

  2,310

  3,036

  131

  147

  Blackburn

  2,304

  2,995

  125

  147

  Brighton and Hove

  2,303

  3,001

  130

  154

  Bromley

  2,298

  2,965

  119

  125

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,296

  2,998

  125

  151

  Portsmouth

  2,295

  2,988

  132

  156

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,293

  2,954

  125

  129

  Havering

  2,293

  2,993

  117

  140

  Isle of Wight Council

  2,288

  2,981

  122

  140

  City ofKingston-upon-Hull

  2,279

  2,968

  120

  134

  Reading

  2,279

  3,037

  126

  140

  Bradford

  2,272

  2,985

  120

  140

  Wolverhampton

  2,270

  2,987

  119

  138

  Southend

  2,264

  2,955

  129

  145

  Sandwell

  2,261

  2,954

  121

  146

  Salford

  2,259

  2,970

  120

  155

  Hertfordshire

  2,257

  2,927

  123

  139

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,253

  2,878

  127

  150

  Milton Keynes

  2,252

  2,956

  120

  142

  Coventry

  2,243

  2,922

  120

  136

  Rochdale

  2,235

  2,934

  121

  128

  Halton

  2,235

  2,946

  107

  135

  South Tyneside

  2,232

  2,900

  111

  120

  Doncaster

  2,232

  2,918

  116

  135

  Bracknell Forest

  2,231

  2,909

  127

  157

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  2,228

  2,859

  130

  154

  Essex

  2,228

  2,907

  124

  145

  Surrey

  2,228

  2,897

  119

  133

  Kent

  2,227

  2,902

  123

  143

  East Sussex

  2,226

  2,910

  132

  156

  Peterborough

  2,222

  2,886

  123

  130

  Oldham

  2,218

  2,868

  117

  135

  Wirral

  2,218

  2,905

  118

  141

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2,218

  2,866

  112

  127

  Hartlepool

  2,208

  2,875

  110

  120

  City of Bristol

  2,207

  2,911

  114

  127

  Medway Towns

  2,205

  2,876

  113

  127

  Sunderland

  2,203

  2,871

  114

  127

  Derby

  2,197

  2,865

  112

  118

  Gateshead

  2,188

  2,854

  114

  117

  North East Lincolnshire

  2,187

  2,849

  111

  121

  Kirklees

  2,185

  2,848

  119

  129

  Sheffield

  2,184

  2,854

  115

  129

  Buckinghamshire

  2,180

  2,851

  116

  138

  Bedfordshire

  2,179

  2,835

  124

  138

  525

  1998–99 SSA per pupil

  £

  LEA

  Primary per pupil

  Secondary per pupil

  Increase 5 to 10

  Increase 11 to 15

  Oxfordshire

  2,178

  2,815

  131

  145

  Walsall

  2,176

  2,819

  105

  118

  Stockton-on-Tees

  2,174

  2,837

  108

  130

  Blackpool

  2,168

  2,872

  120

  133

  The Wrekin

  2,166

  2,820

  106

  119

  Torbay

  2,163

  2,811

  108

  123

  Cornwall

  2,162

  2,820

  105

  122

  Calderdale

  2,161

  2,820

  110

  130

  Durham

  2,159

  2,824

  116

  138

  West Sussex

  2,159

  2,810

  117

  135

  Bolton

  2,159

  2,802

  117

  128

  St. Helens

  2,158

  2,824

  113

  128

  Leeds

  2,156

  2,806

  115

  125

  Stoke on Trent

  2,155

  2,818

  112

  125

  North Lincolnshire

  2,155

  2,806

  116

  133

  Barnsley

  2,154

  2,823

  116

  136

  Norfolk

  2,153

  2,802

  111

  127

  Sefton

  2,153

  2,789

  116

  127

  Rotherham

  2,152

  2,779

  115

  123

  Lincolnshire

  2,149

  2,802

  108

  126

  Herefordshire

  2,149

  2,818

  102

  111

  Plymouth

  2,149

  2,773

  115

  128

  Bournemouth

  2,148

  2,774

  115

  124

  Darlington

  2,145

  2,810

  107

  127

  Lancashire

  2,138

  2,783

  112

  126

  Devon

  2,137

  2,794

  112

  125

  Tameside

  2,135

  2,768

  111

  119

  Cumbria

  2,133

  2,774

  111

  129

  North Tyneside

  2,125

  2,793

  109

  128

  Hampshire

  2,124

  2,776

  117

  145

  Northumberland

  2,120

  2,765

  105

  126

  Newbury

  2,118

  2,733

  124

  143

  North Yorkshire

  2,117

  2,732

  111

  129

  Somerset

  2,105

  2,747

  110

  125

  Cambridgeshire

  2,104

  2,734

  115

  122

  Northamptonshire

  2,104

  2,739

  105

  118

  Trafford

  2,103

  2,726

  110

  123

  Suffolk

  2,100

  2,724

  118

  124

  Shropshire

  2,100

  2,727

  100

  115

  Wakefield

  2,097

  2,728

  109

  124

  Wiltshire

  2,092

  2,731

  105

  128

  Swindon

  2,082

  2,720

  103

  119

  Bury

  2,081

  2,686

  109

  127

  Gloucestershire

  2,081

  2,703

  104

  118

  Nottinghamshire

  2,077

  2,709

  108

  128

  Wigan

  2,076

  2,689

  107

  116

  Dorset

  2,073

  2,691

  110

  126

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  2,071

  2,688

  110

  126

  Rutland

  2,065

  2,594

  123

  128

  Warwickshire

  2,063

  2,685

  102

  112

  Dudley

  2,059

  2,673

  105

  113

  Cheshire

  2,058

  2,663

  106

  121

  Derbyshire

  2,057

  2,682

  105

  117

  York

  2,056

  2,700

  111

  134

  North Somerset

  2,054

  2,681

  112

  128

  Solihull

  2,053

  2,648

  93

  108

  Worcestershire

  2,051

  2,664

  94

  105

  Poole

  2,044

  2,655

  101

  115

  Stockport

  2,042

  2,665

  102

  117

  Bath and North East Somerset

  2,041

  2,606

  108

  122

  Staffordshire

  2,037

  2,653

  102

  119

  Warrington

  2,036

  2,659

  97

  115

  Wokingham

  2,028

  2,657

  115

  139

  Leicestershire

  2,006

  2,620

  101

  116

  South Gloucestershire

  2,004

  2.619

  102

  122

  Total

  2,248

  2,918

  119

  135

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to 526
  encourage co-operation and joint planning between further education colleges and neighbouring schools in respect of (a) 14 to 16 year old students and (b) 16 to 19 year old students. [57667]

  Mr. Mudie
  We are keen to see greater collaboration between schools and colleges. For 14 to 16 year olds we are encouraging innovative arrangements for work related learning through school-college links. We have also invited Local Education Authorities to bid under the new £500 million Social Inclusion: Pupil Support Grant for projects involving colleges to tackle truancy and exclusion from school.

  For 16 to 19 year olds we are working closely with the Local Government Association, the Further Education Funding Council and other partners to promote co-operation between schools and colleges with the aim of increasing participation and achievement. We hope to make a further announcement in this area shortly.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the comparative costs of equivalent courses delivered by(a) further education colleges and (b) training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement. [57668]

  Mr. Mudie
  Estimates of the funding costs of achieving various qualifications in school sixth forms, FE colleges and work-based training will appear in 'The Public Funding Costs of Education and Training for 16–19 Year Olds in England 1996–97'. This report is currently being finalised in collaboration with representatives of the FE sector, training and enterprise councils and other partner organisations, and will be published shortly.

  Sixth Form Numbers
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) names and (b) classifications of 11 to 18 schools with 50 or fewer sixth form students, together with the local authorities in which they are located. [57574]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The 1997 Secondary School Performance Tables contain the names and classifications together with the number of pupils aged 16 and over (which gives an indication of the size of a school's sixth form) of each 11 to 18 school in each LEA area in England. Copies of the tables are available in the Library.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many UK students had not been assessed for liability to pay tuition fees by 21 October. [58026]

  Mr. Mudie
  This information is not collected centrally. However, the Department has written to all LEAs impressing on them the need to complete these assessments quickly.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much the Government had spent on assessing the liabilities of non-UK EU university students to pay tuition fees by 21 October. [58025]

  Mr. Mudie
  An amount of £327,000 had been spent by 21 October.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 1003–04, on the performance of maintained schools, if he will rank each local education authority in order of the cost for each (a) A level and (b) GCSE obtained. [57930]

  Mr. Mudie
  Information on the costs of each qualification in maintained schools is not collected.

  Teacher Posts
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new teacher posts have been created in each of the last five years in the primary phase. [55815]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The numbers of new teacher posts are not held centrally. The total full-time equivalent number of teachers in service in the maintained nursery and primary sector in England for each of the last 5 years is given in the table.

  January

  Full-time equivalent

  1994

  197,600

  1995

  198,400

  1996

  199,600

  1997

  200,000

  1998

  198,400

  LEAs that received grants to reduce infant classes have reported that an additional 1,500 teachers were recruited for infant classes in September 1998 to help deliver the class size pledge.

  Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Social Affairs Council meeting on 27 October. [58318]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I attended the Council of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers in Luxembourg on 27 October.

  The Commission presented its draft Employment Guidelines for 1999, its draft Joint Report on member states' implementation of their National Employment Actions Plans, and the Employment Rates Report. The Council broadly welcomed the proposed Guidelines. Detailed discussion of these documents will take place at Council meetings on 20 November and 1 December. The Guidelines and Joint Report will be put to the European Council for agreement in Vienna on 11–12 December. The Council also heard a report from the Chair of the Employment and Labour Market Committee on the timetable for producing employment reports in 1999.

  The Council discussed a Presidency paper setting out the remaining areas for agreement on employee involvement within the proposed European Company Statute. The Presidency hopes to secure political agreement at the meeting of the Council on 2 December.
  528
  The Council had an open debate on the Commission's Social Action Programme 1998–2000. Many delegations supported the Action Programme's emphasis on promoting employment and tackling unemployment. No conclusions were drawn.

  The Council noted progress reports on the reform of the Standing Committee on Employment, the proposed Council Directive on protecting the health and safety of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres, the proposed extension to students of Regulation 1408/71 (social security for migrant workers), and the negotiations for the second phase of the LEONARDO DA VINCI vocational training programme.

  The Council also noted the Commission's intention to proceed with a draft Council Directive on information and consultation of workers at national level, and noted Presidency reports on the informal meeting of Women's and Social Affairs Ministers in Innsbruck in July and the recent symposium in Vienna on "A Society for All Ages".

  Physical Education
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many physical education teachers were employed by local education authorities and grant-maintained schools in each year since 1979. [55783]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Full-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in England who were both teaching and had a post A-level qualification in physical education were as follows:

  England

  Year

  Number of teachers

  1983–84

  22,000

  1987–88

  18,000

  1991–92

  17,000

  1996–97

  15,000

  Source:

  Secondary schools staffing surveys since 1979

  Similar information for primary teachers is not available. However, primary teachers are trained to deliver the whole primary curriculum including physical education.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to allow OFSTED to accredit initial teaching training courses either in whole or in part. [56213]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are no plans to change the current statutory requirements which give the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) alone the power to accredit or de-accredit providers of initial teacher training. OFSTED will continue to be responsible for inspection of all initial training and TTA will continue to use information from inspections in making decisions about continued accreditation.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many post-graduate certificate in education courses in individual institutions of higher education failed to recruit sufficient numbers and therefore did not proceed in each of the last six years. [56199]
  529
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on individual post-graduate certificate in education courses which did not proceed because of lack of recruits is not held centrally.

  Teaching Standards
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation he has made of the standards of teaching achieved by those who have completed(a) a three year undergraduate degree, followed by a one year PGCE course and (b) a four year B.Ed or BA with qualified teacher status. [56150]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To gain Qualified Teacher Status candidates on any form of initial training must achieve the same standards and have demonstrated a secure knowledge of the appropriate curricula. The Department has not undertaken any evaluation of the teaching of teachers trained through different routes. We expect the same high standard of all new teachers.

  College Staff
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if it is his policy to allow college staff to remain as clerks to governing bodies. [56700]

  Mr. Mudie
  We shall consider the position of clerks in the forthcoming revision of college instrument and articles of government.

  Education Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce a decision on the Government's proposals for education maintenance allowances for 16 to 19-year-olds. [56699]

  Mr. Mudie
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his July Public Expenditure White Paper, we will be setting up pilots to test the effect of an Education Maintenance Allowance payable to young people from low-income households. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to make further announcements on this matter before the end of the year.

  Citizenship Curriculum
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the new citizenship curriculum requirements for schools will incorporate specific reference to the United Nations. [57087]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The recommendations of the Citizenship Advisory Group include a set of learning outcomes which refer to the work of the United Nations organisations and major non-governmental bodies. These recommendations are currently being considered by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as part of their review of the National Curriculum. Following this review, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will offer advice to the Secretary of State on the place of education for citizenship in the curriculum.

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the advantages of extending the National Grid for Learning Scheme to youth and community services for use in youth clubs. [57456]
  530
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government's consultation paper 'Connecting the Learning Society' set out a target date of 2002 for the connection of all schools, colleges, universities and libraries and as many community centres as possible to be connected to the National Grid for Learning via the Internet.

  The Government will be seeking to ensure that the National Grid for Learning, the University for Industry and other lifelong learning initiatives will be accessible via a range of technologies including the Internet, and at a range of locations which fit in with people's lifestyles. We will consider a range of ways in which to maximise access to the Grid, including community projects such as youth clubs.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he intends to extend free telephone calls to after 6 p.m. under the National Grid for Learning. [57457]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government intend to review current arrangements brokered by Oftel with the telecommunications industry, to build on the progress already made in making medium speed connections more affordable to schools. Further announcements will be made shortly.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in the Chorley constituency have taken advantage of the National Grid for Learning to date. [57455]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  16 schools in the Chorley constituency have so far benefited under the first year of the Standards Fund National Grid for Learning Grant. These grants are intended to progressively enable all schools to secure access to high quality networked educational services on the National Grid for Learning through the replacement of obsolete equipment, the provision of suitable internal and external networking facilities, quality software and on-line services, and associated training in basic ICT use.

  All schools which currently have access to the Internet will be able to take advantage of resources and services through the National Grid for Learning.

  Attention Deficit Disorder
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to issue guidance to local education authorities on education provision for children suffering from attention deficit disorder. [57605]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Education Act 1996 and the Department's Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs advise local education authorities and schools on how to identify and provide for all children with special education needs. We have no plans to issue further guidance specifically about children suffering from attention deficit disorder.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) and Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals for special educational needs; [57681]
  531
  (2) when his special educational needs action plan will be published; and if he will make a statement. [57682]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Consultation on the Green Paper Excellence for all children: meeting special educational needs generated many thoughtful ideas and comments. In the light of these, and advice from the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs, we will be publishing an Action Programme shortly.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to instruct local education authorities to provide him with information on the provision made by that authority of special educational facilities for children who suffer from autism or other forms of early childhood psychosis; and if he will make a statement. [57048]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Provisions in the Education Act 1981, now consolidated into the Education Act 1996, require schools to submit information on numbers of pupils with special educational needs. In accordance with the recommendation of the Warnock Committee there is no requirement for them to record the nature of the disability or learning difficulty and we have no current intention to require them to do so.

  Youth Employment
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much had been spent from public funds on the new deal for 18 to 24 year-olds by 30 September. [56045]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Expenditure brought to account on the new deal programme for 18–24 year olds by 30 September was £100.9m. Of this £43.6 million has been spent on preparation, implementation and marketing, the remaining £57.3 million is operational programme costs.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that every Careers Service contractor is required and resourced to provide guidance to all holders of individual learning accounts and to adults in every local community as part of a locally determined local learning access network to nationally defined quality standards. [56207]

  Mr. Mudie
  We are considering our future strategy relating to local information, advice and guidance services for adults in the light of the many helpful comments on the issue we have received in response to "The Learning Age" (Cmnd 3790).

HEALTH

  Health Visitors
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of health visitors in each of the next four years. [56176]

  Mr. Milburn
  Estimates of numbers of health visitors to be employed are not drawn up centrally. Workforce planning and the commissioning of training places for health visitors is employer led; local workforce plans are drawn up by education consortia which comprise trusts, health authorities and other healthcare providers.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what meetings his Department has had with(a) members of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, (b) members of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, (c) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (d) the Environment Agency and (e) the Health and Safety Executive, following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; and if he will make a statement; [57151]

  (2) what recommendations have been made to his Department by (a) the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee and (b) the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations in each case; and if he will make a statement; [57152]

  (3) what discussions he has had with (a) SEAC, (b) ACDP, (c) HSE, (d) MAFF and (e) the Environment Agency on the destruction of surgical instruments in the context of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in the context of any further findings over new variant CJD; [56994]

  (4) what checks have been made of patients subsequently operated upon in hospitals where individuals infected with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease have undergone operations; [56996]

  (5) what research his Department has commissioned following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; [57021]

  (6) what assessment his Department has made of the risk to patients of contracting new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease from surgical instruments; and if he will make a statement; [56947]

  (7) what contingency plans his Department has made should he be advised that there is a risk that patients could be infected with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by surgical instruments; [57005]

  (8) what action has been taken following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; what meetings it has held with other bodies on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [57004]

  Ms Jowell
  In early July we learnt that abnormal prion protein had been found in the appendix removed from a patient in Torbay who, although he did not show any symptoms of disease at the time, some 2½ years later died of nvCJD.
  533
  The matter was immediately referred to the joint Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens/Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Working Group (ACDP/SEAC WG) on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies which considered it at a meeting on 8 July. The advice of this group, as stated by the then Chief Medical Officer in his Press Release of 27 August 1998, is that the overall risk of transmission of nvCJD to other patients is minimal.

  On 21 September SEAC considered the implications of this incident for the risks from surgical instruments and a summary of their discussion was made available to a sub-group of the ACDP/SEAC WG specially convened to look at decontamination advice on 24 September. Following the sub-group meeting on 24 September discussions are underway with the HSE, the Medical Devices Agency, and a number of independent experts about changes to instrument design and decontamination procedures aimed at reducing any remaining risk still further. Proposals for further work are also being finalised and these groups will consider their final advice once these discussions are completed.

  The existing guidance from ACDP/SEAC "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents: safe working and the prevention of infection" (published in March 1998) aims to minimise the risk to patients and staff from nvCJD and already specified that all instruments used on known or suspect cases of CJD must be destroyed as must those used on procedures involving the brain, spinal cord or eyes of patients thought to be at risk of CJD, for instance recipients of human growth hormone. This guidance also specifies that disposable instruments should be used whenever reasonably practicable for other procedures on at risk patients.

  We are considering with the CJD Surveillance Unit in the light of expert advice what follow up studies should be undertaken in respect of patients who had operations in hospitals where nvCJD patients had undergone surgery before they showed any sign of this disease.

  The Department, MAFF, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive have jointly issued a call for further research into the inactivation of TSEs. The call closed on 23 October. The thirteen outline proposals received are now being considered and an announcement will be made as soon as possible about those that will be pursued further.

  The aim of all this work is to ensure that any risk of transmission of nvCJD through surgical procedures is reduced as far as it is possible to do so. We shall review the procedures currently in force as more information becomes available about the characteristics of the disease, and about the effects of changes in decontamination procedures or in instrument design, and will take further action if that seems necessary.

  As announced on 27 August by the previous Chief Medical Officer the Department, in conjunction with the Medical Research Council, was already considering anonymised pilot surveys to assess whether the abnormal prion protein associated with the disease might be in appendixes and tonsils removed during routine surgery. The proposals received are now the subject of expert scientific review and we expect to make a decision on funding shortly.
  534
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department records the(a) hospital admissions, (b) operations and (c) dates of any operations undergone by individuals who have been diagnosed with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; and if he will take steps to make public such information; [56995]

  (2) if his Department records the names of those individuals who have been diagnosed with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. [57002]

  Ms Jowell
  No. The Department does not hold clinical information on individual patients with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD). Personal information of this nature is confidential to the patient, their family, and the clinicians responsible for their care and is not made public. Clinical information is held by the CJD Surveillance Unit (CJDSU) which advises clinicians on the care and treatment of patients. The CJDSU is bound by the same requirements for confidentiality as other clinicians and passes information to the Department only in an anonymous and aggregated form.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease have been recorded in the UK. [56992]

  Ms Jowell
  Since new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) appeared in late 1995 there have been 30 definite and probable cases. All of these patients have died.

  Statistical information about Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is published by the Department on a monthly basis. The latest table was published on 2 November.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the evidence his Department has evaluated on the effectiveness of routine autoclave sterilisation in the destruction of prion proteins; [56993]

  (2) at what temperature his Department has been advised that prion proteins are destroyed. [56946]

  Ms Jowell
  The unconventional agents that cause Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are extraordinarily resistant to physical and chemical treatments that destroy even the most resistant bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses. The current advice on inactivation and decontamination is contained in the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens/ Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committees' guidance on"Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents: Safe working and the prevention of infection" which was published in March 1998. Copies have been placed in the Library. Additionally, since publication, the guidance has been available on the Stationery Office website (www.official-documents.co.uk/documents/doh/ spongifm.contents.htm). It contains information on the effectiveness of routine autoclaving in the destruction of the agents of TSEs. The guidance is based upon the best available scientific data on inactivation. It does not itself provide evidence of the temperature required to ensure complete inactivation of prion proteins. The two Committees are keeping this subject under review as part of their continuing work in this field and on 12 September 1998 the Department, jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive, issued a call for further research into the inactivation of TSEs. The call

  535
  closed on 23 October 1998. The thirteen outline proposals that were received are now being considered and a further announcement will be made as soon as possible about those that will be pursued further.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the full findings of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee's research. [57022]

  Ms Jowell
  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) does not fund or carry out research. If it considers that new or further research is needed it makes recommendations to that effect. Any recommendations on research would be included in the public summary published after each SEAC meeting.

  Recommendations for research are considered by the relevant department and other funders such as the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and by the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) Funders Co-ordination Group and the TSE Research Advisory Group.

  A "Strategy for Research and Development Relating to the Human health Aspects of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies" was published in November 1996 and has been available in the Library since December 1996. In July 1998 a comparable "Strategy for Research and Development Relating to the Animal Aspects of TSEs" was published and placed in the Library.

  These strategies are kept under review and calls for research proposals issued as necessary by the appropriate funding bodies. The findings of individual research projects are published in peer-review scientific journals as they become available.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to inform those patients found to be infected with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease as a result of screening; and if he will make a statement; [56997]

  (2) what plans his Department has to screen tissue specimens for signs of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; and if he will make a statement; [56998]

  (3) what plans his Department has to screen individuals for signs of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; and if he will make a statement. [56999]

  Ms Jowell
  The report of the detection of the agent associated with new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) in the appendix of a patient who was not showing any clinical symptoms of the disease when the tissue was removed but who died of nvCJD two and a half years later, was published on 27 August. On the same day the former Chief Medical Officer announced that the Department, in conjunction with the Medical Research Council, was discussing with the relevant scientists proposals for anonymised pilot surveys to assess whether the abnormal prion protein associated with the disease might be in appendices and tonsils removed during routine surgery. The proposals received following these discussions are now the subject of expert scientific peer review, and we expect to make a final decision on funding shortly.
  536
  These studies are designed to improve understanding of the epidemiology of nvCJD. It must be emphasised that they are research studies on pathological specimens and are not diagnostic screening tests. The research proposals will be governed by ethical committee approval, as is normal, to safeguard patient interests.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the full findings of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens research. [57023]

  Ms Jowell
  The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens is an independent committee which advises Government, but which does not undertake or commission research in its own right. However, if the Committee considers that research is needed it can make recommendations to Government to that effect. These recommendations would be considered in the context of the Department's overall research strategy.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's current estimate of the number of cases of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease likely to be diagnosed in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [56945]

  Ms Jowell
  No reliable estimates can yet be made about the future numbers of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease cases. To make reliable estimates of the future number of cases we need to have more information about the incubation period, the level of exposure to the agent that can cause the Disease, the route of infection and the role of genetic susceptibility. The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee sub-group which advises the Chief Medical Officer on the epidemiology of the disease considers that it is likely to be at least three to four years before we are in a position to make a reliable estimate.

  Social Services White Paper
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the proposed White Paper for Social Services. [57395]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government intend to publish their Social Services White Paper in the near future.

  Ante-natal Appointments
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each health authority in England and Wales, the number of ante-natal appointments routinely offered to first-time mothers. [57468]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not collected in the form requested. Information about the number of antenatal outpatient attendances by trust has recently been published in "Outpatient and Ward Attenders England 1997–98", copies of which have been placed in the Library; trust figures for community contacts will be published shortly in "Community Maternity Services: Summary information for 1997–98, England".

  Disabled Access
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on providing suitable facilities for disabled patients and visitors; and if he will make a statement. [57119]
  537
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The National Health Service Executive issued Health Service Circular (HSC1998/156) on 17 September 1998 entitled Implementing Section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act. This circular informs the NHS about the implementation of the Act and sets out the action the NHS Executive plans to take to support implementation of Section 21 of the Act in the NHS.

  Work is currently in progress to produce a good practice guide. This will cover both employment and service provision issues relating to disabled people for the whole of the NHS and will therefore cover general practitioner practices and other primary care providers.

  Organisational Stress
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of NHS trusts which undertake organisational stress audits; and what plans he has to issue guidance to trusts on the introduction of such audits. [57120]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: Information is not collected centrally on the percentage of trusts which undertake organisational stress audits. The National Health Service Executive has issued guidance to all NHS trusts and health authorities on managing organisational stress through its health at work in the NHS project and is piloting work based on this guidance at four trusts.

  Attention Deficit Disorder
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to encourage the establishment of a national representative group for parents of children suffering from attention deficit disorder. [57604]

  Mr. Hutton
  The proposal has been discussed with the Department and we are currently considering a bid for central grant aid to help develop a national alliance of local support groups in this field. We expect to announce decisions on voluntary sector grant applications for 1999–2000 under the Section 64 general scheme around mid-February 1999.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase payments to local authorities in London which have to meet the cost of accommodating asylum seekers and their children. [57897]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have set out our plans to change the cumbersome immigration and asylum process we inherited from the previous Government in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum". We are considering how to improve the support grants for local authorities in the transitional period, and will announce the terms of the grants later this year.

  Primary Care Group
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the reasons for his decision not to allow local authorities to nominate an elected member to the primary care groups in their administrative area. [57780]
  538
  Mr. Milburn
  Local Authority officials may serve on a Primary Care Group Board as lay representatives of that community.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, when carrying out duties as a member of the primary care group, nominees of the Social Services Department will be required to act in the best interests of the PCG or their employer. [57778]

  Mr. Milburn
  Members of the Primary Care Group board will act in the best interest of the population they serve.

  Care Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the non-back dating of local authority payments for care move placements once they have completed the assessment if the resident's assets have fallen below the capital threshold. [57784]

  Mr. Hutton
  There have been representations from the hon. Members for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) and, for Lewes (Mr. Baker) and from my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) and the voluntary organisation Help the Aged concerning backdating of local authority payments for home care placements once the assessment has been completed.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those care services and establishments that are not covered by a regulation and inspection regime(a) currently and (b) under proposals made by his Department. [57779]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are several gaps and anomalies in the current regulatory system for care services. In particular, residential care homes and nursing homes run by organisations established by Royal Charter or Act of Parliament, domiciliary and day care services, small children's homes, and other arrangements involving children living away from home are not covered by statutory regulation. In addition, local authority care homes, whilst required to be inspected by social services departments, are not subject to registration arrangements.

  The Government are committed to reforming regulatory arrangements in this sector. Our proposals will be set out in a White Paper on Social Services which we intend to publish shortly.

  Joint Procedures (NHS and Personal Social Services)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what flexibility he will allow to social services committees which can demonstrate that there are more appropriate targets for their locality to achieve the standards and objectives set out in Joint Guidance, Quality Projects and Social Services Inspectorate reports than the targets provided in those documents. [57786]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are committed to the reform and modernisation of the public services. We have set out new objectives for children's social services as part of the "Quality Protects" initiative. The forthcoming Social Services White Paper will set out the wider agenda for social services including new objectives for adult social services. "Modernising Health and Social Care" the
  539
  National Priorities Guidance for 1999/2000–2001/2002 sets objectives and targets in support of this new agenda. Achieving these objectives will be a first step towards the modernisation of social services and we expect all local social services authorities to play their part. Progress on the achievement of these objectives will be kept under review by the Regional Offices of the Social Services Inspectorate.

  Local social services authorities will be free to develop additional targets to supplement those in the National Priorities Guidance and demonstrate their success in taking forward the new agenda.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation to put into effect the recommendations contained in Lord Justice Otton's report on medical negligence. [57717]

  Mr. Milburn
  None. Officials are still in the process of identifying ways in which suggestions received as the result of the Secretary of State's call for ideas on reducing litigation in the NHS can best be taken forward. Lord Justice Otton's proposals will be considered as part of this exercise.

  Drugs Bill
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans has he to reduce the NHS bill for drugs(a) prescribed by general practitioners and (b) used in hospitals. [56916]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government have no plans to reduce the National Health Service bill for drugs prescribed by general practitioners or hospitals. Primary Care Groups (PCGs) and health authorities (HAs) will commission and fund local health services from their unified budget allocations in line with the agreed local Health Improvement Plan, local priorities and national guidelines. HAs and their PCGs will be expected to ensure the cost-effective and efficient use of all NHS resources, including any funding for drugs.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to reply to the letters dated 9 July, 13 August and 25 September about the Private Finance Initiative from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton. [58121]

  Mr. Dobson
  I replied to my right hon. Friend today.

  Asthma
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the advantages of use in the NHS of the Buteyko breathing method for the treatment of asthma; and if he will make a statement. [58265]

  Mr. Hutton
  The prevention and treatment of asthma are high priority topics within the Department's research programmes. We do not currently have any plans to carry out a trial of the Buteyko method. If a research proposal on it of sufficiently high scientific quality were submitted, in response to any future open calls for research in this 540
  area from the Departmental or National Health Service research and development programmes, such a proposal would be considered alongside all other competing bids.

  A key agency through which the Government support bio-medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. The Council is not funding any research on the Buteyko method at present but it is always willing to consider for support soundly based new scientific proposals, in competition with other applications.

  Waiting Lists
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of guidance on the compilation of NHS waiting lists issued by(a) his Department and (b) NHS regional executives since 1 May 1997. [58023]

  Mr. Milburn
  No new guidance on the compilation of National Health Service waiting lists has been issued by the Department, including the regional offices of the National Health Service Executive since 1 May 1997. Health authorities and trusts were notified of the Department's plan to collect waiting list statistics on a monthly basis through HSC1998/152, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Guidance is set out in the NHS Executive's Data Manual (published in January 1997), the "National Health Service Waiting Times Good Practice Guide" and "Guidelines for Good Administrative Practice" (both published in January 1996), copies of which are available in the Library.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Nolle Prosequi
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions he has intervened in a prosecution under the nolle prosequi rule in the last 12 months. [56340]

  The Attorney-General
  In the last 12 months I have acceded to requests for the entry of anolle prosequi on 4 occasions.

  Glidewell Report
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Attorney-General what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Glidewell report; and if he will make a statement. [57887]

  The Attorney-General
  The Glidewell Report recommended the appointment of a Chief Executive for the Crown Prosecution Service. That recommendation was accepted on publication of the Report (1 June 1998) when I announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Addison to the post. His top priority has been to take forward the work necessary to facilitate expeditious decisions on recommendations internal to the CPS. Those recommendations which also affect other criminal justice agencies are the subject of consideration within existing or specially established inter-Departmental groups as appropriate. The work is being carried forward under the auspices of the Strategic Planning Group which the Home
  541
  Secretary, I and the Lord Chancellor established earlier this year to co-ordinate planning within the criminal justice system. A very great deal of work has been undertaken since the Report was published. I anticipate making an announcement shortly detailing the progress that has been made and how the Report will be taken forward.

  Former Secretary of State for Wales
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Attorney-General if HM Treasury Solicitor acted on behalf of the former Secretary of State for Wales at any time after his resignation. [57957]

  The Attorney-General
  No.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by European Commission officials in their technical talks with Israel on the problems identified in the communication on EC/Israel trade and regional cumulation of origin whose recommendations were adopted at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 29 June. [57080]

  Ms Quin
  Following the conclusions of the 29 June General Affairs Council, European Commission officials have been pursuing the issues identified in the Communication in technical talks with Israel. A team of Commission officials visited Israel and the Occupied Territories on 14–20 September for a fact-finding mission. The Commission and Member States are now reflecting on follow-up to this mission.

  Mrs. Lozidou
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision made by the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg regarding the case of Mrs. Lozidou v. Turkey. [57475]

  Ms Quin
  We are mindful of the obligation of all parties to the European Convention on Human Rights under Article 53 of the Convention to abide by European Court of Human Rights judgments. In the case of Mrs. Lozidou v. Turkey, and in line with Council of Europe procedure, the UK, along with other members of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, has invited Turkey to inform the Committee of the measures it proposes to take in consequence of the judgment.

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the number of(a) Greek and (b) Turkish fighter planes based in Cyprus; [57591]

  (2) what representations he has made concerning the stationing of foreign fighter planes in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [57593]
  542
  Ms Quin
  We are not aware that any Greek or Turkish fighter planes are permanently based in Cyprus. But recent deployments of fighter planes in Cyprus by both Greece and Turkey have shown how easily tension can be raised. In line with UNSCR 1178 of 29 June we continue to urge all parties to refrain from any action which would exacerbate tensions on the island.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's role as a guarantor power for the Republic of Cyprus. [57592]

  Ms Quin
  The UK's role as a party to the 1960 Cyprus Treaty of Guarantee is, along with Greece and Turkey, to recognise and guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus.

  We are committed to using the UK's position as a Guarantor Power to assist the people of Cyprus to achieve a political settlement in Cyprus.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs over what period the EU has made funds of 12 mecu available to support progress towards a political settlement in Cyprus; how many applications have been made by organisations representing both main communities and for what purposes; and how the results of such grants are monitored and assessed. [57960]

  Ms Quin
  The fourth Financial Protocol on financial and technical assistance between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus originally covered the period from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1998. This period has now been extended to 31 December 1999. Under this Protocol the EU set aside 12 mecu in grants for potential initiatives agreed jointly in Cyprus to promote a general settlement of the Cyprus question. So far 111,370 ecu has been committed to activities of the Cyprus All Island Trade Union Forum, although no money has actually been spent. Responsibility for monitoring funds spent under the fourth Financial Protocol lies with the Commission office in Nicosia. The Community and Cyprus will at least once during the period of implementation of the Protocol make an assessment of the implementation of the programme as a whole.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the projects which can apply for grants from the five mecu allocated by the EU for bi-communal projects in Cyprus; over what period such funds are available; how many applications have so far been made; and by what process aided projects are monitored and assessed. [57961]

  Ms Quin
  The fourth Protocol on financial and technical assistance between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus states that 5 mecu shall be for projects to promote the development of the whole island. These funds were initially made available from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1998. That period has now been extended for a period of one year to 31 December 1999. Three applications for funds have been approved (although to date no funds have been disbursed). These are:

  0.9 mecu for cleaning a river which crosses south-north in Nicosia;

  1.3mecu to restore Hala Sultan Teke, an Islamic shrine near Larnaca;

  543

  1.5 mecu support for the Institute for Neurology and Genetics, a clinic and research centre.

  Responsibility for monitoring expenditure under the Protocol lies with the Commission office in Cyprus. The Protocol specifies that the Community and Cyprus will at least once during the period make an assessment of the implementation of the programme of funding as a whole.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current proposals tabled by Spain for the future sovereignty of Gibraltar and his response to them. [57857]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay), 26 October 1998,Official Report, columns 85–87.

  Departmental Properties
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the properties(a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Niger, (ii) the Independent State of Samoa, (iii) the USA, (iv) the Holy See, (v) Indonesia, (vi) Tunisia, (vii) Portugal, (viii) Egypt, (ix) Germany and (x) Honduras, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57654]

  (2) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Fiji, (ii) Botswana, (iii) Laos, (iv) Lesotho, (v) Trinidad and Tobago, (vi) Canada, (vii) Greece, (viii) Norway, (ix) Mozambique and (x) Guatemala, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57657]

  (3) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Croatia, (ii) Hungary, (iii) Macedonia, (iv) Russia, (v) Uzbekistan, (vi) Romania, (vii) Finland, (viii) Bangladesh and (ix) Turkmenistan, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57655]

  (4) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Mauritania, (ii) Kazakhstan, (iii) Myanmar, (iv) Sierra Leone, (v) Estonia, (vi) Yugoslavia, (vii) the Solomon Islands, (viii) the Commonwealth of Dominica, (ix) Namibia and (x) Lithuania, indicating the purposes for which they are designated. [57656]

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the properties(a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Somalia, (ii) Vanuatu, (iii) Paraguay and (iv) the Seychelles, indicating the purposes for which they are designated. [57642]

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the properties(a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Mexico, (ii) New Zealand, (iii) Sweden, (iv) Mongolia, (v) Cote d'lvoire, (vi) Belgium, (vii) China, (viii) Burundi, (ix) Congo and (x) Gambia, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57643]
  544
  (2) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) the Maldives, (ii) Armenia, (iii) Guinea, (iv) Nigeria, (v) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (vi) Bosnia and Herzegovina, (vii) Pakistan, (viii) the Dominican Republic, (ix) Slovakia and (x) Nepal, indicating the purposes for which they are designated. [57644]

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the properties(a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Malaysia, (ii) Spain, (iii) Qatar, (iv) Luxembourg, (v) Uruguay, (vi) the Philippines, (vii) Kuwait, (viii) Zimbabwe, (ix) Mali and (x) Guyana, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57646]

  (2) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Panama and (ii) Bulgaria, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57653]

  (3) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Jordan, (ii) the United Arab Emirates, (iii) the Lebanon, (iv) Uganda, (v) India, (vi) Morocco, (vii) Ethiopia, (viii) Saudi Arabia, (ix) Ukraine and (x) the Bahamas, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57645]

  (4) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Belize, (ii) Israel, (iii) Senegal, (iv) Brazil, (v) Ecuador, (vi) Azerbaijan, (vii) Chad, (viii) Jamaica, (ix) the Eastern Caribbean States and (x) Swaziland, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57647]

  (5) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Zambia, (ii) Equatorial Guinea, (iii) Albania, (iv) Kiribati, (v) Guinea-Bissau, (vi) Cape Verde, (vii) Iran, (viii) Sao Tome and Principe, (ix) Afghanistan and (x) Liberia, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57652]

  (6) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Singapore, (ii) Eritrea, (iii) Venezuela, (iv) Kenya, (v) Angola, (vi) France, (vii) Iraq and (viii) Tuvalu, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57641]

  (7) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Cuba, (ii) Ireland, (iii) Cyprus, (iv) Tanzania, (v) Peru, (vi) Oman, (vii) Colombia, (viii) Antigua and Barbuda, (ix) Moldova and (x) Papua New Guinea, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57650]

  (8) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Australia, (ii) Vietnam, (iii) Poland, (iv) Thailand, (v) Surinam, (vi) Costa Rica, (vii) Switzerland, (viii) Barbados, (ix) the Netherlands and (x) South Africa, indicating the purposes for which they are designated; [57648]

  (9) if he will list the properties (a) owned and (b) rented or leased by his Department in (i) Iceland, (ii) Argentina, (iii) Italy, (iv) Sri Lanka, (v) Yemen, (vi) Bolivia, (vii) Belarus, (viii) Cameroon, (ix) Burkina and (x) Sudan, indicating the purposes for which they are designated. [57649]
  545
  Mr. Fatchett
  I shall write to the hon. Members with full information as soon as possible. 1 shall place copies of the letters in the Library of the House.

  Ngawang Choephel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the release from prison in Shigatse of Ngawang Choephel. [57709]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Ngawang Choephel appears on a list of individual cases of concern which my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have raised with Chinese leaders. Through our bilateral human rights dialogue with China we have sought information about Choephel's case and his health. We will continue to raise his case.

  Abductions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of alleged abduction of British citizens abroad have been dealt with by the special unit at the FCO since 1996; and if he will list the cases by(a) country and (b) the gender of the British citizens involved. [57933]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Since the beginning of 1996, the FCO-led Coordination Group has dealt with 13 kidnap cases, involving 23 British citizens.

  Country

  Gender

  India (Kashmir)

  2 male

  Indonesia

  2 male, 2 female

  Cambodia

  1 male

  Russia (Chechnya)

  1 male

  Tajikistan

  1 male

  Peru

  2 male

  Tajikistan

  1 female

  Russia (Chechnya)

  1 male, 1 female

  Yemen

  1 male

  Yemen

  2 male, 1 female

  Sudan

  1 male

  D. R. Congo

  1 male

  Russia (Chechnya)

  3 male

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances the Government have received from President Menem that he will if necessary use his veto in respect of fisheries legislation affecting the Falkland Islands currently before the Argentine parliament. [58249]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Argentina has no competence to authorise fishing in Falklands waters. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made our position clear to President Menem during his recent visit. Separately my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reinforced this message with the Argentine Foreign Minister.

  Uganda
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to halt the killing of civilians in Northern Uganda. [58257]
  546
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are appalled at the reports of atrocities committed by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda. With our partners at the UN we have strongly condemned LRA tactics; most recently at this year's session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in May. We believe there cannot be a purely military solution to the problems of northern Uganda. Both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have urged President Museveni to pursue all opportunities for dialogue as a means of resolving the conflict. We welcome recent reports for a possible Government Amnesty for rebels who give up the armed struggle as a first step towards a negotiated settlement.

  Immigration Application
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the total receipts generated by application fees for visas, applications for permanent settlement and other immigration applications and (b) the total cost of entry clearance operations for each year for which the figures are known since 1993; and if he will set out the basis on which the costs are calculated identifying the individual elements. [57758]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The total receipts generated by application fees for visas and total cost of entry clearance operations from 1993–97 are as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Visitor receipts

  Settlement receipts

  Total receipts

  Total costs

  1993–94

  28.0

  2.5

  30.5

  45.0

  1994–95

  28.9

  3.4

  32.3

  45.5

  1995–96

  37.1

  5.0

  42.2

  46.6

  1996–97

  50.3

  6.7

  57.0

  60.2

  1997–98

  53.8

  9.7

  63.5

  64.5

  Receipts are based on Full Cost recovery, broken down into the following categories:

  a) Staffing Costs: (UK staff salaries and allowances, local staff salaries, benefits and other payments, local travel and other travel)

  b) Accommodation Costs: (rents, including notional rents, furniture, maintenance, utilities and capital charges)

  c) Office Expenditure: (stationery, telephones and postage, transport costs and overheads)

  d) Overheads: (cots allocated from support functions at post, e.g. Management Sections and cost of MVD and support functions in London, e.g. Personnel Command and Resources Command).

  Blood Products (Canadian Ban)
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Canadian Government following the banning of British blood products; and if he will make a statement. [56991]

  Ms Jo well
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Canadian Government have not banned British blood products.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 on which a Minister in his Department has used(a) an aircraft belonging to the RAF and (b) a privately chartered aircraft together with (i) details of the take-off and destination points, (ii) ground waiting time, (iii) dates of departure and return, (iv) purpose of the trip, (v) cost of the trip to his Department and (vi) details of people accompanying the Minister, indicating the total costs of all such travel borne by his Department (1) since 1 May 1997 and (2) between 1 May 1996 and 1 May 1997. [55558]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: There are no occasions on which a Minister in this Department has used an aircraft belonging to the RAF or a privately chartered aircraft.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect of an age addition to the basic state pension of(a) £5 for those aged 80 or over, (b) £3 for those aged 75 to 79 years and (c) both of the above on (i) expenditure on non means-tested benefits, (ii) expenditure on means-tested benefits and (iii) revenues from income tax, if such measures were to be introduced once the increases in pensioner benefits planned for April 1999 have been implemented. [55641]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: The information requested is in the table.

  Full year expenditure and revenue effects of age additions in 1999–2000

  £million

  (a)£5 age addition forover 80s

  (b)£3 age addition for 75–79s

  (c)£5 age addition plus £3 age addition

  Expenditure on Retirement Pension

  590

  320

  920

  Means-tested benefit offsets

  -220

  -90

  -310

  Income tax offsets

  -40

  -20

  -60

  Notes:

  1. Estimates for Retirement Pension have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. Estimates for income tax revenues have been provided by Inland Revenue.

  3. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1999–2000 prices and benefits levels.

  4. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and benefit rates, and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1998,Official Report, column 741, if he will provide a breakdown of how many of the pensioners who are disqualified because of excess capital from receiving the proposed minimum income guarantee but who have incomes below income support levels, have weekly incomes in the bands of (a) up to £9.99, (b) £10 to £19.99, (c) £20 to £29.99, (d) £30 to £39.99, (e) £40 to £49.99, (f) £50 to £59.99, (g) £60 to £69.99, (h) £70 to 79.99 and (i) £80 or above. [55658]
  548
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Income

  Pensioner benefit units with income less than IncomeSupport applicable amount

  Up to and including £69.99

  130,000

  £70 and over

  100,000

  Total

  230,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and are almost certainly subject to a degree of error; the true figures could be higher or lower than those given. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 10,000 cases.

  2. The requested breakdown of incomes was not possible due to small sample sizes.

  3. Income is defined as income assessable in an Income Support claim plus income from investments.

  4. A pensioner, for income support purposes, is a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple (married or living as married) where at least one of them is aged 60 of over.

  Source:

  1995–96 Family Resources Survey; Benefit rates as they will be in April 1999

  Mortgage Interest Rates
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the mechanism by which income support is increased to offset increases in mortgage interest rates. [56572]

  Angela Eagle
  The standard rate used to calculate payments of Income Support mortgage interest is based on the weighted average of the main Building Societies' variable rates of interest. This has been the case since its introduction by the previous administration in October 1995. The average is calculated and published monthly by the Office for National Statistics in Financial Statistics table 7.1L. Changes in the standard rate, whether up or down, are triggered by a 0.25 per cent. or more move in the published figure.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about mortgage interest rate capping for those receiving social security payments for interest on mortgages; and for what reasons the Government propose to pay arrears that may have arisen. [56573]

  Angela Eagle
  A standard rate of interest is used in the calculation of mortgage interest included in Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. This was introduced by the previous Administration in October 1995. Help is available towards interest on loans taken out to purchase the home or for certain essential repairs and improvements to it. We have no plans to change this arrangement.

  Lone Parent New Deal
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce a compulsory element of attendance within the Lone Parent New Deal; what exemptions there will be; and if he will list the criteria for those exemptions. [57404]
  549
  Angela Eagle
  Participation in the New Deal for Lone Parents is voluntary. There is no requirement for lone parents either to attend a New Deal for Lone Parents interview or to look for work. From 26 October 1998, the New Deal for Lone Parents has been extended to all lone parents on Income Support, including those whose claim was established before April 1998.

  The Government are committed to providing viable choices for lone parents who, in the past, were written off to a life on benefit and the New Deal for Lone Parents is a major step in achieving this objective. This approach is in tune with what lone parents want: the opportunity to work, and a better quality of life for their children.

  From 2000, the Government plan to implement new legislation to make it a condition of receiving benefit that, when asked to do so, people take part in an interview to talk about their prospects of finding work. This requirement will initially be implemented in 12 pilot areas and will be introduced in ways that take account of individual circumstances.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those who have entered into the New Deal for lone parents are currently receiving housing benefit. [57405]

  Angela Eagle
  The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those who have entered the New Deal for lone parents are still receiving income support. [57406]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are committed to helping lone parents overcome the barriers to work through the New Deal for Lone Parents programme, which is available to all lone parents on Income Support with school age children. The programme provides a tailor-made service with support and advice on training needs, jobsearch, better-off calculations and local childcare services.

  Information on the number of lone parents who have participated in the programme and moved into employment but, because of the number of hours they work, are still in receipt of Income Support is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what the timetable will be for replacing the Benefit Integrity Project as proposed in Cm 4103; [57934]

  (2) when the Benefit Integrity Project will cease its operations under his proposals contained in Cm 4103; [57936]

  (3) if he will issue instructions that all BIP interviews, scheduled but not yet undertaken, are cancelled from the date of his statement in Cm 4103. [57935]

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give the date when he expects the new test to replace the Benefit Integrity Project; [58211]
  550
  (2) if he will estimate the savings which will result from the new test which will replace the Benefit Integrity Project. [58213]

  Mr. Timms
  In his statement of 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 339–42, and the exchanges which followed discussing the next phase of the Government's plans to reform the welfare state, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made it clear that we will introduce a modern, active approach to Disability Living Allowance which puts greater emphasis on getting claims right first time and which allows for regular reviews of claims in payment. He also emphasised that there would be no return to the situation that existed before April 1997, when nothing was being done to check that people were getting the right benefit.

  The Benefit Integrity Project will continue until it is replaced by a new system which we will ensure is fair as well as sensitive. The characteristics of the new system and when and how it will be introduced will be the subject of future discussions with the Disability Benefits Forum. Once the way forward is determined estimates will be made of the likely costs and savings that may arise from the new system. We are keen to introduce this change as soon as possible but it is most important that we get it right.

  All-work Test
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the replacement for the all-work test to come into operation. [58212]

  Mr. Timms
  We aim to introduce reforms to the test alongside national roll-out of the New Deal for Disabled People personal adviser service, which is being considered for April 2000. Different approaches are likely to be trailled before then as part of the development of the enhanced test.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultation documents he proposes to publish on the test he intends to use to replace the all-work test. [58129]

  Mr. Timms
  In our consultation document "A new contract for welfare: Support for Disabled People", we set out our plans to reform the All-Work Test so that it provides positive information about what people can do, as well as assessing what they cannot do. We have no plans to change the way in which the test determines entitlement to benefit. "Support for Disabled People" makes clear our intention to work with disability organisations and to consult them as we take forward work on the enhancements to be made to the test. We do not envisage a further formal consultation document on these changes.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people currently drawing benefit who will move into work as a result of the new test which will replace the all-work test for each of the first five years after the introduction of the new test. [58125]

  Mr. Timms
  The All-Work Test will continue as now to assess the level of an individual's incapacity, to determine entitlement to incapacity benefits. The intention in reforming the test is to ensure that it also produces
  551
  positive information about the person's functional capacities. This information will feed into a wider assessment of employability by a personal adviser, who will help people with long term illness and disability to plan a return to work. No assumptions have been made about the numbers who will leave incapacity benefits as a result of these initiatives.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the numbers of individuals currently living in households claiming one or more means-tested benefit and the estimated figures for(a) five and (b) 10 years hence. [58135]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. The number of beneficiaries of one or more means-tested benefit totalled 14,490,000, as at May 1997.

  Notes:

  1. Means tested benefits are Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  2. Beneficiaries are defined as the claimant, their partner and any dependants.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  4. Overlap between benefits have been taken into account.

  5. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit figures exclude cases where there is no entitlement because of non-dependant deductions.

  6. Council Tax Benefit cases do not include second adult rebate cases.

  7. Sample sizes:

  Income Support: 5 per cent

  Family Credit: 5 per cent

  Disability Working Allowance: 100 per cent

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit: 1 per cent.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1997.

  2. Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1997.

  3. Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry.

  4. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. count of claims.

  5. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample enquiries without Income Support taken at the end of May 1997.

  "Support for Disabled People"
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the increase in the take-up of the disability working allowance as a result of the changes announced in "Support for Disabled People". [58123]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Disability Working Allowance will be replaced by the Disabled Person's Tax Credit before the introduction of the changes announced in "Support for Disabled People".

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his estimate of the increase in the numbers claiming means-tested benefits, as a result of the changes by benefit set out in "Support for Disabled People" for each of the first five years after implementation. [58127]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested.
  552
  We do not expect any significant increase in the total numbers making a new claim for means-tested benefits as a result of the changes set out in the consultation document "Support for Disabled People".

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost arising from an increased take-up of those services referred to in paragraph 17 of "Support for Disabled People". [58131]

  Mr. Timms
  Additional resources will be made available to meet the cost of possible increased take-up of training and other services in the single gateway pilots. Detailed work on costs is still being undertaken. An important reason for piloting the single gateway is to measure any additional take-up of services and the associated costs in order to inform decisions about national implementation.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people under 20 claiming the severe disablement allowance will also be(a) eligible and (b) claiming income support after he has introduced the changes set out in Support for Disabled People. [58126]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  It is estimated that, after the introduction of the proposed changes set out in the Consultation Paper "Support for Disabled People", there will be approximately 8,000 new claims for Incapacity Benefit a year from people under the age of 20 who are disabled from birth or early in life or long term sick and who cannot work. In the first year of their claim, Income Support will provide a higher rate of benefit and at any one time about 6,000 are likely to receive it. After a year, they will receive a higher rate of Incapacity Benefit of (£78.30 at April 1998 rates) which, in most cases, will remove the need for Income Support.

  Those young people aged 16 to 19 who are on Severe Disablement Allowance at the point of change will also be transferred to the new higher rate of benefit after one year. It is estimated that approximately 14,000 of that group will receive Income Support prior to transfer.

  Gateway to Work
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the penalties for those who do not turn up for interviews as proposed in the Gateway to Work. [58124]

  Angela Eagle
  It will be a condition of benefit that individuals of working age not in full-time work attend an interview in order to discuss the help that is available to them. It is not unreasonable to expect clients who seek state support to attend an interview with a personal adviser to discuss their options, and to make it a condition of benefit that they should do so.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the additional costs in staff time which will be required to initiate the personal adviser scheme detailed in the Gateway to Work. [58130]

  Angela Eagle
  Additional resources will be made available to fund the provision of personal advisers for all benefit claimants of working age in the single gateway
  553
  pilot areas. Detailed work on costs is still being undertaken. An important reason for piloting the single gateway is to measure costs in order to inform decisions about national implementation.

  Disabled People (Income Support)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the incapacity benefit recipients who will cease claiming as a result of the changes set out in support for disabled people will(a) begin and (b) continue to draw income support. [58128]

  Mr. Timms
  No existing recipient will cease to receive Incapacity Benefit or Incapacity Benefit paid with Income Support as a result of the changes to the contribution conditions and treatment of occupational and personal pension income proposed in our Consultation Paper "A New Contract for Welfare: Support for Disabled People".

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to begin monitoring the most cost-effective ways of keeping in contact with people on incapacity benefit; and when he expects to be able to report on these experiments. [58132]

  Mr. Timms
  Currently, contact with people receiving Incapacity Benefit is limited to occasional checks on their level of incapacity. We believe the current system too often consigns people to a life on benefit and we want to maintain closer contact with them throughout their claim. In this way, we can ensure we are up to date about their circumstances, and provide them with advice; for example about the help available with return to work and about the benefits to which they may be entitled. We will try out different methods of contacting people and consider how best to develop the methods which seem most helpful and successful. We consider this to be no more than good practice and do not plan a formal report on it.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if those individuals drawing private health insurance which has been individually arranged may continue to draw incapacity benefit under the current rules. [58134]

  Mr. Timms
  As our Consultation Paper "A New Contract for Welfare: Support for Disabled People" made clear we propose, on future claims to Incapacity Benefit, to take some account of payments from permanent health insurance arranged by employers, as well as occupational and personal pensions. We have no plans to take account of permanent health insurance or other forms of health insurance where this is arranged by the individual.

  Widows (SERPS)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average amount of SERPS paid to widows at present; and what is the expected average payment to a widow whose husband dies(a) on 5 April 2000 and (b) on 6 April 2000. [58262]

  Angela Eagle
  The average amount of SERPS paid to widows under pension age at 31 March 1998 was £15.30.
  554
  The estimated average payment to a widow whose husband dies on 5 April 2000 is £33. For a widow whose husband dies on 6 April 2000, the average is £12. This is because of changes in the calculation of SERPS introduced by the Social Security Act 1986, including the 50 per cent. reduction in entitlement for widows.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for March 1998 are based on net additional pension for all widows' benefit recipients and are for Great Britain and overseas.

  2. Estimates for April 2000 averages are over the total number of widows in the population and are rounded to the nearest pound.

  Sources:

  1. A 5 per cent. sample of the Pensions Strategy Computer System.

  2. April 2000 estimates: Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures have been taken to publicise the halving of SERPS for widowers and widows whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000; and when his Department's(a) leaflets and (b) other literature first referred to this change. [58263]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department arranged publicity about the Pensions Act 1995 with an advertising and direct mailing campaign in the Autumn of that year.

  Information on the halving of the Additional Pension from the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) featured in leaflet PEC3, "The 1995 Pensions Act", which was part of this campaign and available to the public until August 1997.

  The Benefits Agency supported this campaign in Spring 1996 by issuing leaflet EQP 201, "Changes To Your Future", to answer simple inquiries about changes arising from the Pensions Act 1995. More detailed information featured in leaflets NP46, "A Guide To Retirement", and NP45, "A Guide To Widows' Benefit", from Spring 1996 and remains there to date. Where appropriate, other more general publicity and information on pensions and widows' benefit also refers customers to these more detailed leaflets.

  The Benefits Agency leaflets always advise customers to check with their local Social Security office if they require more detail or up-to-date information about individual cases.

  Budget Savings
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the categories of current recipients from whom benefits will be withdrawn or reduced in order to make the savings in the social security budget specified in his oral statement of 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 339–42, indicating the aggregate and average amounts of reduction that will apply in each category. [58024]

  Mr. Timms
  At the point of change, no current recipient will lose benefit as a result of changes to entitlement rules from the reforms we are making.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the typical period between a person becoming a lone parent and that person first contacting the Child Support Agency. [57077]
  555
  Angela Eagle
  It is difficult to make generalisations in this area. There is evidence to suggest that many lone parents who claim Income Support do so soon after separation or the birth of a child. However, applications for child maintenance are received from parents with care who may or may not be claiming benefits and who may or may not have recently become lone parents. Under arrangements introduced from April this year lone parents claiming Income Support are helped to complete a maintenance application form when visited by Benefits Agency staff at the start of the claim. Similarly awards of Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance will prompt the issue of child support forms. Lone parents not on benefit are free to contact the Child Support Agency at any time.

WALES

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money will be allocated to(a) Wales and (b) Denbighshire in the Government's distribution of funds released from money raised from the sale of council houses in the last year and each of the next four years. [56408]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  £33.38m is available to Wales under the Capital Receipts Initiative in the current financial year (including the revenue consequences of the higher borrowing). Of this £708,000 has been allocated to Denbighshire.

  My right hon. Friend is currently consulting on spending plans for Welsh Office programmes for the next three financial years and on changes to the local authority housing capital distribution arrangements. He will announce his decisions later in the year.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for the steel industry in Wales, with particular reference to steel dumping into the UK from Asian producers and to energy costs. [57451]

  Mr. Hain
  The steel industry, like other parts of the manufacturing sector in Wales, is being affected by the international economic situation, but is continuing to take steps to reduce its cost base to ensure it remains profitable. Allegations of dumping and energy costs are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve mental health provision. [57442]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My plans will be influenced by two complementary Welsh Office projects whose findings will shortly be available to me. The first address the future direction of adult mental health services in Wales. And the second assesses the effectiveness of the present Mental Health Strategy. These reports will help inform the development of services in Wales.
  556
  Departmental officials also remain in close touch with the Department of Health on work being carried out on the National Strategic Framework on Mental Health in England.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning community pharmacists in North East Wales. [57445]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Government recognise the contribution made by community pharmacists to the health of the people of Wales. We will seek to maintain an appropriate level of service. The Welsh Office has funded 18 projects under "Delivering Care, Meeting Need"—6 in North Wales—for developing the range of services that can be provided by pharmacists in the community.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the impact of the opening of pharmacies in supermarkets upon community pharmacies; and if he will make a statement. [57446]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The number of community pharmacies in Wales rose slightly from 702 in 1989 to 712 at 31 March 1998. Although the numbers do fluctuate, changes of ownership over this period appear to have had very little effect on the overall numbers of establishments.

  Aerospace and Steel Industries
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the benefits of the current assisted area status for the aerospace and steel industries in Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [57448]

  Mr. Hain
  Since the new Assisted Areas came into force in 1993 aerospace firms in Alyn and Deeside have accepted offers of RSA grants totalling £1,055,000 which are expected to create 122 new jobs and to safeguard 63 jobs. Steel production is subject to special state aid restrictions, and is not eligible for aid under Assisted Areas.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what involvement he has in the restructuring of the aerospace industry; and if he will make a statement. [57449]

  Mr. Hain
  The restructuring of the aerospace industry is a matter for the industry itself. I take a keen interest in its future and have met a number of aerospace companies in Wales. The Department also has regular meetings with the South Wales aerospace companies to discuss issues that affect the industry.

  Welsh-medium Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (i) nursery, (ii) infant, (iii) primary and (iv) secondary Welsh-medium schools there are; and if he will make a statement. [57439]

  Mr. Hain
  No information is available centrally about the medium of instruction at maintained nursery schools. At January 1998, there were 445 primary schools where
  557
  most pupils were in classes where Welsh was the sole or main medium of instruction. Of these schools, 8 were infant schools and 3 juniors. 50 secondary schools were Welsh speaking schools as defined in Section 354(8) of the Education Act 1996.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he is making in tackling waiting lists for cataract operations for elderly persons in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital Trust area; and if he will make a statement. [57444]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The number of people waiting for ophthalmic surgery at Wrexham Maelor NHS Trust, which is largely cataract operations, has fallen from 1,496 in June 1998 to 1,307 in September 1998, a drop of 13 per cent.

  North Wales Health Authority has agreed with the Trust that, by the year 2000, all patients requiring cataract surgery will be treated within 3 months.

  Assisted Area Status
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the retention of assisted area status for Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [57447]

  Mr. Hain
  The review of the Assisted Areas will be carried out for Great Britain as a whole. All parts of Great Britain will be assessed for inclusion against common criteria.

  Welsh Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met leaders of the (i) CB1 and (ii) TUC to discuss the competitiveness of Welsh industry; and if he will make a statement. [57450]

  Mr. Hain
  I regularly meet representatives of the CBI to discuss all aspects of Welsh industry and I attended their recent conference in Birmingham. The last time I met the TUC was when I addressed their annual conference earlier this year.

  Eco-village, Pembrokeshire National Park
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the eco-village in the Pembrokeshire National Park on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the implications for sustainable development of this project. [57393]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  In the first instance this is a local planning authority issue. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has resolved to take enforcement action in relation to this matter. In view of the Secretary of State's planning responsibilities I can make no further comment.

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the current 558
  financial situation at Gwent Tertiary College; and how many members of staff are to be made compulsorily redundant. [57901]

  Mr. Hain
  Gwent Tertiary College's provisional financial statements for the year ended 31 July 1998 record an operating cost deficit of £946,000 and an historic cost surplus of £157,000 with a turnover of £34 million. The forecast for the current year is an operating cost deficit of £961,000 and an historic cost surplus of £243,000 with a turnover of £31.1 million. The College has no plans to make members of staff compulsorily redundant.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact which the current situation at Gwent Tertiary College has had on the quality of education provided for full-time and part-time students. [57902]

  Mr. Hain
  The Further Education Funding Council for Wales is responsible for assessing the quality of education provided by Gwent Tertiary College. During the Council's first assessment cycle (1993–1997) provision in 14 programme areas was at or above the quality threshold. Areas assessed as below the quality threshold—Catering, Construction, General Education, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, and Independent Living Skills—are scheduled for reassessment in the current cycle. All the areas assessed in the current cycle thus far—Business and Management, Computing, Secretarial Studies and Office Technology, Art and Design, and Performing Arts—have been awarded grades at or above the quality threshold.

CABINET OFFICE

  Anti-drugs Education
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the recently announced moneys to tackle illegal drug mis-use will be used for anti-drugs education. [56856]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I announced on 1 September a total of £217 million additional funding to tackle illegal drug misuse. Of this total, £3 million is specifically for drugs education and prevention activities. From 1999–2000, a total of £19 million per annum will support the development of effective drug education and prevention programmes across the country.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will introduce a charter for persons with autism in line with the charter adopted at the fourth Autism Europe Congress in May 1992; and if he will make a statement. [57056]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We have no plans to introduce a specific charter for people with autism or any other disability. I am, however, determined that public services should be accessible to all, and that all users should be treated fairly, paying particular attention to those with special needs. That is why we have launched Service First—the new Charter programme. The new programme is underpinned
  559
  by nine guiding principles that all public services should be striving to achieve. These include principles covering the accessibility of public services and fairness.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pesticides
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to exercise his power under section 16(2)(j) of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (as amended by the Pesticides Act 1998) to make regulations for the provision of information relating to pesticides to be made available to the public. [57711]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am anxious to ensure that the public gains the greatest possible access to information on pesticides, taking advantage of the broader powers provided by the Pesticides Act 1998. My officials have just completed a public consultation exercise to explore how this objective might best be pursued. Full details of the consultation are available in the Library of the House. Following consideration of the responses received, Regulations will be drafted and further public consultation will take place. The draft Regulations will also be notified to the EC under the Technical Standards Directive. Subject to the outcome of these consultations, the Regulations will be put in place as rapidly as possible but at this stage it is not possible to give a precise date.

  Agriculture
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the present state of British agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [57664]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: We have received a large number of representations from a range of sectors currently experiencing difficulties. We are listening to the concerns made in numerous meetings and in correspondence.

  Farm Borrowing
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is(a) the total level of borrowing of British farmers and (b) the average level of borrowing per farm in the United Kingdom. [57504]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Information on the liabilities of UK agriculture is published in "Agriculture in the United Kingdom". The estimate of total liabilities at December 1996 was £9 billion. This represents about £69,000 per full time holding compared to average assets per holding of £570,000. Lending by banks to agriculture and fishing has, according to the Bank of England, increased by about 12 per cent. between the fourth quarter of 1996 and the second quarter of 1998.

  Agricultural Land Sales
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the acreage and value of 560
  land sold by farmers for non-agricultural purposes for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in current prices and (b) as a percentage of total land sales by farmers. [57502]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: I regret that the information requested is not available. Information on sales of agricultural land does not distinguish between land used for agriculture and for other purposes. The official statistics on agricultural land sales include an analysis by type of purchaser (e.g. to individuals or various categories of corporate purchaser) but specifically exclude sales of agricultural land for development and non-agricultural purposes. The area of agricultural land on agricultural holdings is recorded in the annual June agricultural census. This area is shown to have declined by 429 thousand hectares (2.4%) in the UK since 1988 but there is no reliable information on the new use of this land.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of overall farm income in 1998 and 1999. [57661]

  Mr. Rooker
  (holding answer 2 November 1998]: The 1998 forecast of Total Income from Farming will be published on 1 December. I will ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy of the Statistical News Release on that day.

  Forecasts for the 1999 calendar year will not be published until December 1999.

  Policy Proposals (Quality of Life)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what methods of measurements, and from what base lines, his Department employs in assessing the quality of life implications of policy proposals; and how these were selected. [55766]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: My Department uses a range of measures to assess policy proposals consistent with relevant guidance from HM Treasury and other Government departments. Assessments of risks, costs and benefits to businesses, the citizen and the environment are made, as appropriate, for each regulatory proposal. Policies such as that for the agri-environment schemes assess applications for environmental benefits. My Department is also developing a set of indicators to measure sustainable agriculture which include measuring its role in the rural economy.

  Fatal Accidents (Farms)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fatal accidents there were on farms in England and Wales during 1997. [57433]

  Mr. Morley
  Between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998, the Health and Safety Executive recorded 45 fatal accidents in farming, forestry and horticulture in England and Wales.

  Cattle Welfare
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the 1994 Welfare of
  561
  Livestock Regulations with a view to the provision of a continuous supply of fresh drinking water being made available to cattle. [57192]

  Mr. Morley
  Schedule 4 to the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 requires livestock, including cattle, to be provided with an adequate supply of fresh drinking water each day. These Regulations will shortly be reviewed, in their entirety, as part of the process of implementing Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what approvals for what herbicides will be necessary for the planting of those herbicide-tolerant genetically modified seeds which will be planted, pursuant to the agreement between the Government and industry; when he expects such approvals to be in place; and what proposals for public participation in decisions relating to such approvals he intends to make. [57713]

  Mr. Rooker
  No herbicide may be used unless Ministers have given approval for that use. The use of a herbicide on a crop genetically engineered to be resistant to that herbicide would be considered a new use requiring a new approval.

  The timing of the issue of any approval will depend upon the date of application and the complexity of the evaluation required. Evaluations are carried out by the Pesticides Safety Directorate in line with its published targets.

  The results of such scientific evaluations will be considered by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides, which now contains two lay members, and will be passed to Ministers for decision. These decisions will be informed by a review of the environmental implications of herbicide use on genetically modified crops which I have commissioned from the Pesticides Safety Directorate. Arrangements are being made for monitoring the use of herbicides on genetically modified crops and for an ecological study of the first farm-scale plantings of such crops. All pesticide approvals will be announced publicly.

  Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the payments made under the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme to farmers where the farmer is not the landowner. [57303]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry has a contractual obligation to review payments under the ESA scheme every two years. Reviews are based on an assessment of the costs incurred by agreement holders in complying with the terms of the agreements, and any necessary incentive, in accordance with relevant EU legislation.
  562
  The total costs of complying with an agreement should be independent of the tenure status of the agreement holder or holders. The Ministry considers at each review whether the payment rates are adequate to attract sufficient applicants to the scheme to meet the targets set.

  New Forest
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement about the number of broadleaf trees currently being felled in the New Forest; [56501]

  (2) what measures he will take to restore the Iron Age village near Fritham damaged by Forestry Commission contractors; and what measures he will put in place to prevent a recurrence. [56503]

  Mr. Morley
  The subjects of these questions relate to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Desmond Swayne, dated November 1998:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of broadleaf trees being felled in the New Forest and the measures being taken to restore the Iron Age village near Fritham.
  I am pleased to be able to advise you that there is no clear felling of broadleaved trees in the New Forest. The only felling which is conducted involves silvicultural thinning, and the Forestry Commission proposes to remove some 500 cubic metres of hardwood logs during the coming winter, together with 200 cubic metres of cordwood and 4,000 cubic metres of pulpwood.
  With regard to the restoration of the Iron Age village, staff from the Forestry Commission met the contractor who caused the damage, together with officials from English Heritage and English Nature in August, to agree restoration measures. These measures chiefly consisted of minor levelling works, but these cannot take place until conditions on the ground are drier, as the site is currently waterlogged.
  I would like to re-assure you that new procedures have been put in place to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. These include:
  revised operational planning procedures
  increased staff levels on planning
  a tightening of contract controls
  a continuing review of unscheduled sites by the Hampshire Field
  Club, at two yearly intervals
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Ponies (Transport)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to prevent the Minimum Values Order being circumvented by exporters transporting ponies to Scotland and then to Ireland and from there shipping them to France and Belgium. [55588]

  Mr. Morley
  A licence is not required to export ponies from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. However, horse and pony sales, in particular sales of native breeds, are monitored to ensure rigorous enforcement of the rules governing animal welfare in transit. Checks are also carried out at ports. This activity should act as a deterrent to the development of any trade of the kind described and is a proportionate response to the suspicions that have been voiced.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Genetically Modified Crops
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  Agriculture Council, 19–20 October
  Agriculture Council, 19–20 October
  Salmon Imports
  Salmon Imports
  Department of Health: Cash Limits
  Department of Health: Cash Limits
  Telephone Calls to European Union
  Telephone Calls to European Union
  House of Lords: Visitor Survey
  House of Lords: Visitor Survey
  Unidroit Convention
  Unidroit Convention
  Satellite TV Transmissions: Disruption
  Satellite TV Transmissions: Disruption
  Family Policy
  Family Policy
  Mobile Phones
  Mobile Phones
  Office of Science and Technology
  Office of Science and Technology